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HISTORY 



OF 



LAKE CHAIPLAO, 



FROM ITS FIRST EXPLORATION BY THE FRENCH, 



IN 



1609, 



TO THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR 

1814. 

BY PETER S. PALMER. 



PLATTSBURGH : 

J. W. TXTTTLE, BOOK AND JOB PRINTEK. 

1853. 



I 






Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1853, 

BY PETER S. PALMER, 

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Northern 
District of New York. 



/j^ yj7^ 



v/ 






HISTORY 

OF 

LAKE CHAMPLAII. 

INTRODUCTORY. 

•General description of the Lake and of the most important points along its bordere 
— Ancient and Modern names of places — Distances — Old Forts— Scenery— OriginaJ 
Indian name. 

Lake Champlain extends fi-om the 4j'^30 min. to the 45*^ 
north latitude, and Ues between Vermont and New York — 
the boundary hue of tliose States running through its centre. 
The lalve is about ninety miles in length, in a right hne from 
North to South, with a length of coast, on each side^ of about 
one hundred and twenty-five miles : its southern extremity, 
or head, being at Whitehall, and its northern neai* the bounda- 
ry line between the United States and Canada- The lake 
varies in width from one-fourth of a mile to thirteen miles, 
and its waters cover an area of about five hundred square 
miles. It receives the waters of Lake George, at Ticonde- 
roga, and discharges itself into the St. Lawrence, through the 
river Richeheu. There is no perceivable current in the body 
of the lake, and its waters, at ordinary stages, pass into the 
Richelieu with a velocity of only one-third of a mile per 
hour. 

The Lake has two arms; one on the west side, near its 
southern extremity, called South Bay, the other, on the east 
side, near its northern extremity, called Missisco Bay. This 
last mentioned bay stretches into Canada and covers about 
thirty-five square miles. The area of country, drained into 
the lake, is variously estimated from seven thousand to nine 



thousand sqiuiro miles. It probably approaches nearest to 
the larger estimate. Numerous rivers and creeks discharge 
themselves into the lake, ampng the principal of which are, 
on the Nev/ York side. Wood Creek, the outlet of Lake 
George, the Bouquet, Great and Little Ausable, the Salmon, 
the Saranac, and the Big and Little Chazy rivers. On the 
Vermont side are the Poultney river, Otter Creek, and the 
Winoosld, Lamoille and Missisco rivers. The lake is subject 
to a rise and fall of from six to eight feet during the year ; 
the waters attaining their gi'eatest height about the twentieth 
of May, after which they fall, gradually, until about the twen- 
tieth of September, when they usuall}^ reach the lower level 
of the remainder of the season. 

Lake Champlain commences at the junction of Wood 
Greek with East Bay, in the town ol" Whitehall. The In- 
dian name of this place was kah-cho-quah-na, "i/te ])lace 
where dip fish.'''' Philip K. Skeene, an English Major under 
half pay, located here in 17G3, and established a settlement 
at the mouth of Wood Creek, which was called Skeenesbor- 
ough. This, for many years, was the most important settle- 
ment upon Lake Champlain. In 1773 it numbered seventy 
three fiimilies, all of whom, with but two exceptions, were 
Skeene's tenants. The name of the town was changed to 
Whitehall in 178S. 

About two miles north of the village of Whitehall is South 
Bay, an arm of the lake seven miles long and one mile wide, 
extending to the south-west and separating the town of 
Whitehall from the town of Dresden. It was on the shores 
of this bay that the Baron de Dieskau landed, in 1755, with an 
army of fifteen hundred French and Indians, when marching 
against the Enghsh encampment at the head of Lake George. 

Twenty-four miles below Whitehall is old fort Ticonderoga 
on the west, and Mount Independence on the east side of 
the lake. The waters of Lake George here discharge them- 
selves into Lake Champlain through an outlet called, by the 
Indians, Cheondcroga ; a word signifving "Noisy," and which 



was applied in allusion to the falls on the outlet near its 
mouth. The French erected a fortress here in 175G, which 
ihey called Fort Carillon, and which was a place of great 
strength. Mount Defiance lies on the south side of the 
mouth of the outlet of Lake George, opposite Ticonderoga. 
The summit of this mountain is seven hundred and fifty feet 
above the lake, and within cannon shot of the old fortress. 

Twelve miles north of Ticonderoga is Crown Point, called 
by the Freach Point a la Chtvalier. Here the French built 
a fort in 1731, which they called Fort St. Frederic. This 
fort was destroyed by them on their retreat to Canada in 
1759, and the same yeai* General Amherst commenced a 
much larger work, the ruins of which are still to be seen. 

Opposite Crown Point is a landing called Chimne}^ Point, 
which was settled by the French, about the time they com- 
menced building Fort St. Frederic, and was destroyed by 
them in 1759. So complete was the destruction of the set- 
tlement that when the English arrived, a few days after the 
retreat of the French, they sav/ nothing but the blackened 
chimneys of the consumed houses, standing as grim senti- 
nels amid the surrounding ruin. These chimneys were per- 
mitted to stand for years, and gave the name of Cliimney 
Point to that locality ; a name it yet retains. 

At the present day Lake Champlain is regarded as ex- 
tending as far up as Whitehall, but among the early writers 
its head was knocked about in a manner most perplexing to 
modern readers. Kalm, who visited the lake in 1749, fixes 
upon Crown Point as the head, and speaks of that portion 
south of Crown Point, as "the river which comes out of the 
lake St. Sacrementto Lake Champlain." Doctor Thatcher, 
who was with St. Clair's army in 1777, considers the lake 
to reach no further south than Ticonderoga, and refers to 
South Bay as extending from that place to Skeenesborough 
"a chstance of about thirty miles." By several the passage 
between Ticonderoga and Skeenesborough was called South 
River. Some writers have run the head of the lake as far 



6 

up as the falls of Wood Creek, in the present village of 
Whitehall, while others describe Wood Creek as runninrr as 
far north as the outlet of Lake George. I refer, at this time, 
to this difference of opinion among the early writers to guard 
the reader against the confusion which it has frequently pro- 
duced, and to explain an occasional discrepancy, aj)parently, 
between this work and the narratives of the events here col- 
lected. 

Two miles north of Crown Point, and on the same side 
of the lake is Port Henry, and about eleven miles further 
north is North-west Bay, called Bay dcs Rocker Feyidus, in 
Sautliier's map of ] 779. The village of Wcstport stands 
at the foot of this h?ij. On the opposite side of the'lake, about 
ten miles north of Crown Point, is a small bay in which Ar- 
nold grounded and burned his galley and five gondolas after 
the engagement with the Enghsh, of the 13th October, 1776. 
Otter Creek, called by the French la riviere aux Loim-es, emp- 
ties into the lake about seven miles north of this spot. The 
Creek is navigable for lake vessels as far up as the falls at Ver- 
gennes, a distance of eight miles. In tliis Creek McDonough 
fitted out the fleet with wliich he gained the victory of the 
11 th of September, 1814. During the last w^ar a small breast- 
Avork was thrown up on the north side of the Creek at its 
mouth, where Lieutenant Cassin of the Navy, and Captain 
Thornton of the Artillery, wdth two hundred men, repulsed a 
large British force, sent out from Canada to destroy the Amer- 
ican fleet fitting out at Vergennes. A few miles north, and on 
the opposite side of the lake, is Split Rock, called b}-- the 
French rocker fc7idue. This rock has alwa3^s been considered 
a great natural curiosity. It projects one hundi'ed and fifty 
feet into the lake, and is elevated about thirty feet above the 
level of the water. The part detached contains half an acre, 
and is separated from the main rock by a channel about fif- 
teen feet wide. The opposing sides are, by some writers, said 
to fit, the prominences of the one corresponding with the cav- 
ities of the other. The popular opinion is, that this rock was 



separated from the main land by an earthquake,* but Pro- 
fessor Emmons, who examined it particularly, supposes the 
separation to have been occasioned by the wearing away or 
decomposition of a mass of rock containing a large amount 
of pyi'itous iron. 

The lake between SpHt Rock and Thompson's Point, for- 
merly called Point Rcglochnc, is not qrvite one mile wide. A 
Light-house has been erected by the general goverment, upon 
the main land, a few rods south of the rock. From this point 
the lake increases in width as it extends towaixls the north. 
Between Essex and Charlotte, four miles north, it is three 
miles wide. Opposite BurUngton it is nine and three-quar- 
ters miles, and from shore to shore, opposite Plattsburgh,, 
about thuteen miles wide. 

Between Essex and Charlotte is Sloop Island, so called be- 
cause an English vessel of war, during the revolution, fired 
upon it, mistaldng, in a fog, the stump of a pine tree stand- 
mg near its centre for the mast of a sloop. A short distance 
below Essex, on the New York side, is the mouth of the Bou- 
quet river. At the falls, two miles up this river, Burgoyne' 
encamped and gave a war feast to a party of about four 
hundi-ed Indians, previous to his attack on Ticonderoga in 
1777. Fourteen miles north-east from Essex and on the op- 
posite side of the lalve, is the village of Burhngton. About 
midway between these two places are four small islands call- 
ed the Four Brothers. They are called Isle de qiiatre vents 
on Charlevoix's map of 1744 and the Four Winds Islands 
on Sautliier's map. Two and one-half miles south of Bur- 
lington is Pettier' s Point, called ErMy's by Sauthier. It forms 
the west side of the mouth of Shelburne bay. Thi-ee miles 
south-west of Burhngton is Juniper Island, on which stands 
a Light-house erected in 182G. 

*In the winter of 1663 there was a severe earthquake in Canada. "Lakes appeared^ 
where none ever existed before ; mountains were overthrown ; rivers sought other- 
beds or totally disappeared. The earth and the mountains entirely split and rent in 
innumerable places,' creating chasms and precipices, whose depths have never been? 
ascertained." — Jesuit's Journal, Quebec, 1663, 



North-west from Juniper Island and near the west shore 
of the lake is Schuyler's Island, called by the French, Isle Au 
Chapon. Under this island Arnold collected his fleet on the 
morning of the 12th of October after his retreat from Valcour 
Island. A Httle to the south of this island is Douglass' Bay, 
called Corlear by the French and Indians. It is supposed by 
some that the humane and noble Corlear was drowned in this 
bay in 1666. 

A mile to the north of Schuyler's Island is a bold promon- 
tory called Point Trembleau. At the foot of a small bay, 
formed by this point, stands the village of Port Kent, and 
about two miles to the north are the mouths of the Great 
and Little Ausable rivers, which empty into the lake near a 
sandy point, called point Au SaUe. Six miles further north 
ajid half a mile from the main shore lies the island of Val- 
cour, or Valeur, as it is sometimes called. This island is cel- 
ebrated on account of a severe naval engagement fought 
near it between the Americans and Enghsh on the 11th day 
of October, 1776. One mile north of Valcour is St. Mitch- 
ell's, or Crab Island, and about three miles further north is 
-the mouth of the Saranac river, called Salasanac on Sauthier's. 
map. The village of Plattsburgh lies on both sides of this 
river at its mouth. Three miles east from Plattsburgh is 
Cumberland Head, on which a Light-house has been erected. 
Cumberland Head was called by the French Cape Scoumon-^ 
ton or Scononton. It e?itends about three miles into the lake 
in a southerly dkection, and forms Cumberland Bay. This 
bay was the scene of McDonough's naval victory of 
the 11th of September, 1814. To the east of Cumberland 
Head is a large island called Grand Isle. The Lamoille 
river empties into the lake on the Vermont side near the 
south end of this island. Eight miles south of the Lamoille 
is the mouth of the Winooski. North of Grand Isle, and 
separated from it by a narrow channel, is another large island 
called North Hero. This is the Isle Longue of the French. 

Twelve miles north of Cumberland Head, and lying be- 



tween North Hero and the western side of the lake is th( 
Isle LaMottc. This island was named after Sieur la Mothe, 
a French officer who built a fort on the north end of the 
island in 1G65, which he called Fort St. Anne. It was after- 
wards called Fort la Mothe. Kalin says this was a w^ooden 
fort or redoubt, standing on the west side of the island near 
the water's edge. It had disappeared when he passed thro' 
the lake in 1749, but he was shown the spot where it stood, 
which he describes as then "quite overgrown with trees." 
Opposite tlie north end of this island, and on the New York 
side, is the mouth of the Little Chazy river, and a short dis- 
tance further north is the mouth of tlie Big Chazy. These 
rivers are called CJiasy on a map of a survey of the lake 
made in 1732, and were originally named after Lieut, de 
Chasy, a French officer of distinction who, in 1665, was 
killed by a party of Mohawk Indians, while hunting in their 
vicinity. King's Bay lies north of the mouth of the Big Chazy. 
The north side of this bay is formed by Point Au Fer, which 
separates it from Rouse's Point Bay. 

Point Au Fer was formerly separated from the main shore 
by a channel or deep morass connecting Rouse's Point Bay 
with King's Bay. Kalm says that the first houses he saw, 
after leaving Fort St. Frederic, were on the western side of 
the lake about ten French miles above St. Johns, in which the 
French had lived before the last war, but which were then 
(1749) abandoned. These houses probably stood either 
on Point Au Fer or near the mouth of the Big Chazy river. 
Prior to the revolution a brick house was built on this point, 
which was known as the '■'■ White Ho use. ^^ It was for- 
tified with an intrenchment and cannon by General Sul- 
livan, at the time of the invasion of Canada in 1775, and 
was then considered as a very advantageous situation to 
command the navigation of the north end of the lake. Bur- 
goyne, when he entered the United States, threw a body of 
troops into this place and it was retained by the British as a 
military post until after the Peace. 



10 

opposite the northern part of Isle La Motte, on the Ver- 
mont side of the lake, is Alburgh Tongue, called by the 
French, Foint Algonquin. The entrance to Missisco Bay is 
on the east side of this point. About eight miles north of Isle 
La Motte, also on the Vermont side, is Windmill Point. The 
French built a windmill here about the time of the erec- 
tion of Fort St. Frederic at Crown Point, and had collec- 
ted a small settlement near the mill ; but the English hav- 
ing burnt the houses several times during their incursions 
into Canada, the settlement was at length abandoned. In 
1749 nothing but the mill, which was built of stone, remained. 

Opposite Windmill Point is the village of Rouse's Point, 
and one mile north is the terminus of the Offdensburgh 
(Northern) Railroad. A connection is here formed between 
the Ogdensburgh and the Vermont & Canada Railroads by 
a bridge and floating draw. The boundary line between the 
United States and Canada, as fixed by the Ashburton Treaty 
of 1S42, is about one mile below this bridge. This line is 
located 4,200 feet north of the true parallel of the 45*^ of 
latitude, and was so established in order to secure to the 
United States the site of an old fort commenced by that gov- 
ernment soon after the close of the war of 1812. 

The parallel of 45*-" was originally correctly located by 
the French, but, in 1766, Governor Moore and Brigadier Gen- 
eral Carleton visited Lake Champlain and fixed the boundary 
between Canada and the Province of New York about two 
and a half miles below Windmill Point, which Governor 
Moore says was further to the northward than they exjDccted 
to find it from the observations said to have been made by 
the French some years before. Moore's line was recognized 
as the true one until about the year 1818 when, on taking new 
observations, it was found to be too far to the north. As 
soon as the error was discovered the United States suspended 
work on the fort, and the unfinished walls were long known 
as "Fort Blunder." Since the treaty of 1842 a new and 
larger fort has been commenced on the site of the old 



11 

one, called Fort Montgomery. It is not yet completed. 

Fort Montgomery stands at the foot of the lake. Here the 
river Richelieu commences and conve^'s the waters of the 
lake to the St. Lawrence. Tiiis river, lor several years after 
the first settlement of Canada, was called the river of the 
Iroquois. Charlevoix says it was afterwards called the 
Richelieu on account of a fort of that name which had been 
built at its mouth, in 1G41. This outlet of Lake Champlain 
is also called the Sorel or Chambly River. 

Three and a half miles below the boundary hne is Bloody 
Island, said to be so called on account of the murder of two 
lumbermen who were killed there by a party of soldiers sent 
out from Montreal to protect them from the Indians, on their 
return to the lake after having sold a raft of timber. Three- 
fourths of a mile below is Ash Island or Isle aux Tetcs. One 
mile below Ash Island is Hospital Island and six miles lower 
down the river is Isle Aux-noix, where the French establish- 
ed a military post on their retreat from Crown Point in 1G59. 
Tliirteen miles below Isle Aux-noix is the village of St. Johns. 
This place was selected for a military post by Montcalm 
in 1758. It was occupied by the French prior to 1749. 

About thirteen miles below St. Johns is the villnge and 
fort of Chambly. A fort was built here by the French in 
1664, which was called Fort St. Louis. It was at first built 
of wood, but had prior to 1721 been replaced by a strong 
work of stone, flanked with four bastions, and capable of 
containing a large gai-rison. Fort Richeheu, wliich we have 
already stated to have stood at the mouth of the river, was 
afterwards demolished and a new fort built there by Mons. 
de Sorel, to which his name was given. 

Lake Champlain is situate on the western side of a valley 
lying between the Clinton Mountains in New York and the 
Green Mountains of Vermont. This valley is from one to 
thirty miles in width and about one hundred and eighty 
miles in length, north and south. Its gi-eatest depression 
has been found to be between Westport, Burhngton and 



12 

Port Kent. Between Burlington and Port Kent the water 
of the lake is two hundred and eighty-two feet in depth. 
Professor Emmons found the depth, lour miles north of West- 
port, to be three hundred feet, and he was told that sound- 
ings of six hundred feet had been made in other places in 
that part of the lake. The surface of the lake is ninety-three 
feet above tide, and, if Professor Emmons was not misinform- 
ed, its bottom at this last point is at least five hundred feet 
below the level of the ocean. It is the popular opinion tljat 
the waters of the lake are gradually subsiding, but I judge 
this to be a mistake for the reason that the soundings made 
seventy-five yeai's ago do not differ materially from those of 
the present da3^ The w^ater in the bays and along the 
shores is not as deep as it was formerly, from the washing 
of the banks and the deposit of earth, saw-dust and rubbish 
brought down by the creeks and rivers, but the surface is 
probably as high above tide as it was when the lake was first 
visited by Champlain in 1609. It is evident, however, from 
an examination of the adjacent shores and rocks, that the 
lake at one time filled a much larger portion of the valley 
than it does at present. Geologists suppose this entire valley 
to have been twice occupied b}^ the ocean — but these specu- 
lations are of but little interest to the general reader, who, 
usually, is satisfied to take things as they have existed for 
the last five thousand years. 

This lake has ever been celebrated for the beauty of its 
scenery and the bold and imposing configuration of the sur- 
rounding country. Upon the eastern side, the valley is wide 
and fertile, until we pass Mount Independence, going south, 
when the hills approach the lake, and, in some places, rise 
abrupt from its shores. On the New York side, the moun- 
tains in many places extend to the water's edge, as in the 
case of the Black Mountains south of Ticonderoga ; the 
Kayadarosseras range which terminates with Bulwagga 
Mountain near Crown Point ; the northern end of the West 
Moriah range at Split Rock, and of the Adirondac Mountains 



CHAPTER r. 

Progress of discoveries by the Frencli in Canada — Character of the Indian tribes — 
Champlain's visit to Lake Champlain in 1C09 — Battle between the Canada Indians 
and the Iroquois — Fort erected on Isle LaMotte — De Courcelles' Expedition to the 
Mohawk River. 

But little progress was made by the French in their 
American discoveries until the spring of 1534, when 
Jacques Cartier sailed from France with two small ves- 
sels and, in the month of May, reached Bonavista in New- 
foundland. Cartier coasted around the north shore of the 
island and along the gulf of the St. Lawrence and, in Sep- 
tember, returned to France. The following year he left 
France with three ships and, entering the mouth of the St. 
Lawrence, ascended that river as far as the St. Croix (St. 
Charles) near the Indian village Stadacona, (Quebec,) where 
he passed the winter. While his party were preparing their 
winter quarters, Cartier, with thirty-five armed men, pro- 
ceeded up the river as far as Hochelaga, (Montreal,) near 
which he arrived on the second day of October. 

"Hochelaga," says Warburton,* "stood in the midst of 
great fields of Lidian corn ; it was of a circular form, con- 
taining about fifty large huts, each fifty paces long and from 
fourteen to fifteen wide, all built in the shape of tunnels, 
formed of wood, and covered with birch bark ; the dwell- 
ings were divided into several rooms, surrounding an open 
court in the centre, where the fires burned. Three rows of 
palisades encircled the town, with only one entrance ; above 
the gate, and over the whole length of the outer ring of de- 
fence, there was a gallery, approached by flights of steps, 
and plentifully provided with stones and other missiles to re- 

*Conquest of Canada, Volume 1. 



16 

sist attack. This was a place of considerable importance, 
even in those remote days, as the capital of a great extent of 
country, and as having eight or ten villages subject to its 
sway. The inhabitants spoke the language of the Great Hu- 
ron nation and were more advanced in civilization than any 
of their neighbors ; unlike other tribes, they cultivated the 
ground and remained stationary." This was Hochelaga in 
1534. Seventy years later it had sunk into a decayed and 
unimportant place. 

On the 11th of October Cartier rejoined his party at St. 
Croix and, the following spring, returned to France. Early 
in the spring of 1541 he again left France and, enter- 
ing the St. Lawrence, sailed up that stream as high as 
the rapids of Lachine. The next spring he returned to 
Europe and soon afterwards died. No effort was made by 
the French to colonize Canada, after the return of Cartier 
and his associates, until ihe year 1603, when an armament 
was fitted out, under the command of Pontgrave, to make 
farther discoveries in the St. Lawrence. Among the officers 
who accompanied this expedition was Samuel de Cham- 
plain, a captain in the French Navy and a native of Sane- 
toge. Pontgrave and Champlain explored the St. Lawrence 
as far as the Lachine Rapids, which was the highest point 
reached by Cartier sixty-eight years before. In 1604 Cham- 
plain accompanied de Monts to Canada and again returned 
to France in the fall of that year. 

In 1608, de Monts, who was at the head of a trading 
company, equipped two ships at Honfleur, and sent them 
out under the command of Champlain and Pontgrave, for 
the purpose of establishing the fur trade at Tadouassac. 
Champlain reached Tadouassac on the 3d day of June, and, 
after a brief stay, ascended the St. Lawrence, and on the 
3d of July arrived at the ancient village Stadacona, which 
he selected as the site of the future capitol of Canada. 

When the French first visited Canada the Indians residing 
north of the river St. Lawrence were engaged in war with 



17 

the Five Nations of Indians who occupied the territory south 
of the St. Lawrence. The Five Nations wei-e a powerful con- 
federacy, consisting of the Mohawks, the Oneidas, the Cay- 
ugas, the Onondagas and the Seneeas. They called them- 
selves the Mingoes, and sometimes the Aganuschions, or 
United People.* The French called them the Iroquois ; the 
Dutch the Maquas. Lafitau gives them the name of the 
Agonnousionni, as does Charlevoix, who says, "Leur nom 
propre est Agonnousionni, qui veut dire, Faiseurs de Caban- 
nes ; parcequ'ils les balissent beaucoup plus solides, que la 
plupart des aiitres sauvages."t In 1712 the Tuscaroras, a ll 
tribe who had been driven from the south by the English, 
was admitted into the confederacy, which was afterwards 
known as the "Six Nations." 

Prior to the settlement of Canada by the French the 
Iroquois occupied all the country south of the river St. 
Lawrence and resided in numbers arouiid Montreal and 
in the valley of Lake Champlain, but they had been 
driven off towards Lake Ontario by the Adirondacks, 
who lived near the Three Rivers. The success of the 
Adirondacks was of short duration, for soon afterwards they, 
in their turn, were diiven from their ancient seats to a safer 
position below Quebec.| In 1608 the Iroquois resided upon 
the banks of the Mohawk and in several villages to the west 
of that river. They claimed the whole country lying on 
both sides of Lake Champlain, as far north as the St.. Law- 
rence. The northern bank of the St. Lawrence was held 
by the Algonquins, the ancient and inveterate enemies of 
the Iroquois. The Hurons, a numerous nation residmg west 
of Lake Ontario, were in alliance with the Algonquins and 
joined them in their wars against the Iroquois. 

The Iroquois were powerful, politic, warhke and cour- 
ageous. They have been termed among Europeans the 
Romans of the West.|| Charlevoix says the name of Iro- 

*Governor Clinton's discourse before the N. Y. Histoxical Society. 
tCharlevoix, Tom 1 . 
IGordon. 
jlWarburton, Vol. 1. 

3 



18 

qiiois was formed from the Indian Hiro, which means, / have 
said, "J'ai dit," with which they always finished their speech- 
es, and dc Iconc, a word often used by them and which, when 
pronounced with a drawl was a cry of grief, and, when spo- 
ken short and quick, one of exultation.* They lived in vil- 
lages, around which the}^ had extensive cultivated fields. 
These villages were enclosed with strong quadruple palisades 
of large timber, about thirty feet higli, interlocked with each 
other, with an interval of not more than half a foot be- 
tween them. On the inner side of tlte palisades were galle- 
ries in the fwm of parapets defended with double pieces of 
timber.t The Algonijuins were a warlike nation and the 
most polished of the northern triljes. _ They were a migi-ato- 
ry people, disdaining the cultivation of the soil and depend- 
ing altogether on the produce of the chase. The Hurons 
had some slight knowledge of husbandry, but were more ef- 
feminate and luxurious than the other tribes, and inferior in 
savage virtue and independence.! They lived in villages, of 
which the nation possessed twenty, but which were inferior 
in construction and strength to those of the Iroquois. 

When Champlain landed at Quebec he found the Algon- 
quins and Hurons engaged in active war with the Mohawks, 
one of the oldest and most powerful branches of the Five 
Nations. Learning, from some Indians who visited his en- 
campment in the winter, that they intended an inroad into 
the country of then- enemy in the course of the approach- 
mg summer, he determined to accompany them, and, by that 
means, not only explore a river and ku-ge lake through 
which the war party would pass, but by his powerful assis- 
tance strengthen the friendship which then existed between 
the French and the surrounding Indians. For this purpose, 
on the ISth of April 1609, he left Quebec on board a pin- 
nace accompanied by a small party of followers, and as- 



*Charlevoix, Tom 1. 

fChamplain's Voyages de la Nouv: France. 

tWarburton, Vol. 1. 



19 

cending the St. Lawrence as far as the month of the Riche- 
Heu, passed up that stream to the foot of the rapids near 
Chambly. Here a war party of sixty Algonquins and Hu- 
rons soon after joined him, and commenced preparations for 
the incursion. 

It would seem that it was Champlain's intention to have 
taken his whole party with him, but the men, intimidated by 
the small number of the Indians or from some other cause, 
refused to proceed any further, and, after the strongest aj)peals 
on the part of Champlain, but two would accompany him. 
With these alone he determined to join tlie Indians on their 
long and perilous expedition. All their arrangements being 
completed, Champlain and his two companions, on the 2d 
of July, enfoarked with the Indians in twenty- four canoes 
and that day proceeded up the river to a point about nine 
miles above the island of St. Theresa, where they encamp- 
ed for the night. The next day they continued on as far as 
the lake, which they entered on the following morning, and 
coasted along its west sliore until they came within two or 
three days journey of the place where they expected to meet 
the enemy. After this they traveled only by night, each 
morning retiring into a barricaded camp to pass the day. 
The party advanced with the utmost caution, keeping their 
canoes close tos-ether, and makinf? no noise which mipht be 
heard by the enemy should they happen to be near. During 
the whole journey they used no fire but lived upon dried In- 
dian meal soaked in water. 

Champlain, in his account of this expedition, particularly 
refers to the superstition of the Indians and the importance 
they attach to dreams.* Whenever he awoke they would 
eagerly inquire whether he had dreamed of or seen their 

*The Indian trusts to his dreams and invariably holds them sacred. Before he 
engages in any important undertaking, particularly in war, diplomacy, or the chase, 
the dreams of the principal chiefs are carefully watched and examined; by their in- 
terpretation his conduct is guided. In this manner the fate of a whole nation has 
often been decided by the chance vision of a single man. — Conquest of Canada, Fot 
ume 1, page 193. 



20 

enemies. One day, while the party lay concealed near 
Crown Point, Champlain fell asleep and thought he saw the 
Iroquois drowning in the lake within sight of the encamp- 
ment. On awaking he related the dream to the Indians, 
which, he says, "gained such credit among them that they 
no longer doubted but they should meet with success." That 
same night about ten o'clock, while proceeding cautiously 
along, they met a war party of the Iroquois, who were pass- 
ing down the lake in canoes. 

As soon as the two parties discovered each other the Iro- 
quois hastened to the shore and, having first secured their 
canoes, began to cut down trees and form a barricade. The 
others put out towards the centre of the lake and proceeded 
to fasten their canoes together, and then secured them, with 
poles, in a position within arrow-shot of the barricade. Two 
canoes were then sent towards the shore to inquire whether 
the Iroquois wished to fight, who answered they did but pro- 
posed, as it was then dark, that the battle be deferred until 
morning. To this the Algonquins and Hurons agreed and 
both parties passed the night in singing and taunting their 
rivals of cowardice and imbecility. Champlain and his two 
companions were equipped in Ught armor, and each carried 
an arquebus. They were placed in different canoes and 
kept themselves concealed from sight, lest the Iroquois might 
be alarmed at their appearance and decline the combat. 

On the following morning an engagement took place which 
is thus recorded by Champlain.* "The moment we landed 
they (die Algonquins and Hurons) began to run about two 
hundred paces towards their enemies who stood firm, and 
had not yet perceived my companions, who went into the bush 
with some savages. Our's commenced calling me in a loud 
voice, and making way for me, opened in two, and placed 
me at their head marching about twenty paces in advance, 
until I was within thirty paces of the enemy. The moment 
they saw me they halted, gazing at me and I at them. When 



♦Vpyages de la Nouv; France. 



21 

I saw them preparing to shoot at us, I raised my arquebus, 
and aiming directly at one of the three chiefs, two of them 
fell to the ground by this shot, and one of their companions 
received a wound of which he died afterwai'ds. I had put 
four balls in my arquebus. Our's on witnessing a shot so 
favorable for them, set up such tremendous shouts that thun- 
der could not have been heard ; and yet, there was no lack 
of arrows on one side and the other. The Iroquois^were 
greatly astonished seeing two men killed so mstantaneously, 
notwithstanding they were provided with arrow-proof armor 
woven of cotton thread and wood ; this frightened them very 
much. Wliilst I was re-loading, one of my companions in 
the bush fired a shot, which so astonished them anew, see- 
ing their chiefs slain, that they lost courage, took to flight and 
abandoned the field and their fort, hiding themselves in the 
depth of the forests, whither pursuing them 1 killed some 
others. Our savages also killed several of them and took 
ten or twelve prisoners. The rest carried off the wounded. 
Fifteen or sixteen of ours were wounded by arrows ; they 
were promptly cured." 

This battle was fought on the 30th of July, near what 
Champlain describes as "the point of a Cape which juts into 
the lake on the west side." Some writers have located the 
battle-ground on Lake George. Doctor Fitch* thinks it took 
place upon one of the points of land in the town of Diesden 
or Putnam, south of Ticonderoga ; but, from an examination 
of Champlain's map of New France,t it is evident that the 
engagement took place somewhere between Crown Point 
and Lake George, probably in the town of Ticonderoga. 

As soon as the victorious party had gathered the weapons 
and other spoils left behind by the Iroquois, they ernbarked 
on their return for Canada. After proceeding about eight 
leagues down the lake they landed, after night fall, when the 

♦Historical Survey of Washington County. 

tA copy of this map will he found m Vol. 3 of O'Callaghan's Documentary His* 
iory of New York, 



22 

Indians put one of their prisoners to death with the most hor- 
rible and protracted tortures. The rest of their prisoners 
were taken to Canada. At the rapids of ihe Richeheu the 
part}'' separated and the Inchans returned to their homes, 
well satisfied, says Champlain, with the result of the expe- 
dition and uttering strong professions of gratitude and friend- 
ship for the French.* 

The above is, in substance, Champlain's own narrative 
of the first visit of civilized man within the limits of the 
state of New York. Two months later Henry Hudson entered 
New York Bay and ascended the North River as fiir as the 
present village of Waterford.t Thus were the northern and 
southern sections of the state almost simultaneously explored 
by the European. When these two celebrated men first 
looked upon the clear pure waters of New York and won- 
dered at the grandeur of its mountains and the beaut}' of its 
gigantic forests, httle did they think that, for nearly two cen- 
turies, those scenes would be rendered horrible by the bloody 
contest of ambitious colonists, or the midnight foray of the 
ruthless savage. As httle could they have foreseen that, with- 
in less than half a century longer, those valleys would be fill- 
ed with rich and populous cities, tliriving villages and fertile 
fields or that that lake and river would bear upon their wa- 
ters a commerce equal to that then belonging to the nations 
they so proudly represented. 

After the departure of the Indians Champlain returned to 
Quebec. He continued as Governor of Canada until 1629, 
when he surrendered the government to the English and re- 
turned home. In 1632 Canada was restored to France, and, 

*Charlevoix and most English writers say that Champlain, on this expedition, 
ascended a rapid and passed into another lake afterwards called Lake St. Sacrement. 
Champiain, in his account, says the Indians told him of a waterfall and of a lake 
beyond, three or four leagues Ions:, and adds that he saw the waterfiill, but says noth- 
ing of the lake. Had he explored the lake he would not have represented it .as only 
three or four leagues long. 
f^ f fHudson first entered New York Bay in September 1609. He .sailed up the river 

'[ as far as Albany and cmbarkin,' in small boats continued on to Waterford, where 

iie arrived on tho 22d of that month. 



23 

the next j-ear, Champlain was re-appointed Governor of the 

colony ; which situation he continued to hold until his death, 

at Quebec, in 163-5. 

Champlain was brave, high-minded, active and generous, 

and eminent ibr his christian zeal and purity. "The salva- 
tion of one soul," he often said, "is of more value than the 
conquest of an enemy." During his Hfe he fostered Chris- 
tianity and civilization and succeeded in planting them among 
the snows of Canada. The onlygi'eat mistake of his admin- 
istration was an injudicious interference in the quarrels be- 
tween the Indians. By this means he directed the hostility 
of the warhke Iroquois against the French, and created an 
implacable hatred on the part of that powerful nation, which 
time could not heal, nor the blood of a thousand victims 
soften. 

Mons. de Montmagny succeeded Champlain as Governor 
of New France. In 1641, he erected a fort at the mouth of 
the Richelieu, as a protection against the repeated inroads of 
the Indians by the way of Lake Champlain. M. de Mont- 
magny was succeeded by M. D' Ailleboust, in the course of 
whose administration, of three 3'ears,* the Iroquois made 
several inroads into the territory of the Hurons and drove 
them iiom the fertile banks of the Ottawa. These victories 
of the Iroquois rendered them more audacious than ever. 
Breaking a solemn treaty of peace made with AI. de Mont- 
magny several years before, they again appeared among the 
French settlements, despising forts and barricades and in- 
sulting the humble husbandman with impunity. In their 
attacks no force was too strong for them to overcome ; no 
hiding place too secret for them to discover. So great, at 
length, became the audacity of these savages that they sud- 
denly fell, upon a body of Algonquins, under the very guns 
of the fortress of Quebec, and massacred them without 
mercy. 

*The Governors of New France held oflBce for three years only ; in consequence 
of a decree that no one man should hold the government of a colony for more than 
that length of time. — Warburton. 



24 

A dark and unpropitious gloom hung over the affairs of 
the colony until the arrival of the Marquis de Tracy, as vice- 
roy, in 1664. M. de Tracy brought with him the Carignan- 
Salieres, a veteran regiment which had greatly distinguished 
itself in the wars against the Turks. Immediately on the 
ai-rival of these troops they were sent, accompanied by the 
alhed Indians, against the Iroquois and soon cleared the 
country of those troublesome enemies. Having established 
peace throughout the colony, M. de Tracy prepared to adopt 
measures to make that security permanent. The hostile In- 
dians had been accustomed to approach the French settle- 
ments by the way of Lake Champlain and the Richelieu 
River, and to effectually block up this avenue three Captains 
of the Carignan regiment, M. de Sorel, de Chambly, and de 
Salieres, were ordered to erect forts on that river. 

M. de Sorel built a fort at the mouth of the river, on the 
site of old fort Richelieu erected by de Montmagny in 1641. 
M. de Chambly built a fort at the foot of the rapids, in the 
present village of Chambly, which he called fort St. Louis, 
and M. de Salieres built one nine miles above, which he 
named St. Theresa, because it was finished on that Saint's 
day. The next year M. de La Mothe, another Captain in 
the Carignan regiment, was sent to Lake Champlain to build 
a fort on an island near the lower end of the lake, which 
was intended to serve as a place of rendezvous, "from which 
continual attacks could be made on the enemy." This fort 
was called St. Anne. 

As soon as tidings of the erection of these forts reached 
the Iroquois, three of those tribes sent deputies to Quebec 
with proposals of peace. M. de Tracy gave them a friendly 
audience and sent them back with valuable presents. 

About the same time he determined to invade the country 
of the Mohawks, who with the Oneidas, remained stubborn 
and inflexible, and inflict summary punishment upon them 
for their former insolence and treachery. With this view 
M. de Courcelles was ordered to fit out a military expedition,. 



with the utmost dispatch. Ontlie 9tlio{' Jciu., lGG6,he started 
with three hundred men of the regiment of Carlgnan-Saheres, 
and two hundred vohmteers, habiuins, for Fort St. Theresa, 
which had been designated as the place of rendezvous. The 
weather was so severe that before they had advanced three 
days journey many of the men would have perished, had 
they not been carried along by their companions. On the 
24th Sieurs de la Fouille, Maximin and Lobiac, Captains of 
the Carignan regiment, joined the army with sixty men and 
some habikms, but before they reached St. Theresa so many 
men had become disabled that it was necessary to withdraw 
four companies from the forts on the Richelieu to supply the 
vacancies in the ranks. 

On the 30th of January de Courcelles marched (nit of Fort 
St. Theresa at the head of five hundred men, and passing 
the lake on the ice, crossed the country towards the Mohawk 
villages. The snow was nearly four feet deep, and the men 
were obliged to use snow-shoes lo pass over it. As horses 
could make no progress through the deep snow, a large 
number of slight sledges were prepared which were load- 
ed with provisions and dragged along by the men, or by 
large dogs brought on for that purpose. Each man, inclu- 
ding all the officers, carried upon his back from twenty-five 
to thhty pounds of biscuit or other supplies.* Tlie intention 
of the French had been to march direct against the Mohawk 
villages, but having lost their way, through the ignorance of 
their guides, they turned too far to the south, and on the 9th 
of February arrived within two miles of Schenectad}^ where 
they encamped. Here they were met b}^ a small party of 
Mohawks, who, pretending to retreat, were carelessly pursued 
by sixty of the French Fusileers, who were thus drawn into 
an ambuscade of about two hundred Indian warriors securely 
posted behind the trees of the forest. At the first volley of 
the Indians eleven of the French, including a Lieutenant, 
were killed and several wounded. The fusileers discharged 

*Relation3 de ce qui s'cst passe en la Xouv : France eii anneca 1CC5 — 0. 

4 



26 

their pieces and immediately fell back upon the main body 
of the army, while the Indians retired with a loss of three 
killed and six wounded, taking with them the scalps of four 
Frenchmen, which they exhibited in the streets of Shenec- 
tady. It is said the whole company of fusileers would have 
been massacred, but for the intercession of Corlear, a Dutch- 
man greatly Ijeloved by the Mohawks, who humanely inter- 
ceded in their behalf.* 

Information of the approach of the French having been 
sent to Fort Albany by the authorities of Schenectady, three 
of the principal citizens were sent to M. de Courcelles to in- 
quire what were his intentions in invading the country be- 
longing to the English. De Courcelles repHed that he had 
no desire to molest the Enghsh in their possessions, but came 
solely to seek out and punish the Mohawks, who were the 
unrelenting enemies of the French. He also represented to 
them the state of his army, worn out with fatigue and hun- 
ger, and requested tliat they would sell him provisions and 
consent that he might send his wounded to Albany. The 
English readily agreed to do as he desired, and the next day 
seven wounded Frenchmen were sent to Albany. The in- 
habitants also carried large quantities of beans, bread and 
other provisions to the French camp, for which they were 
liberally paid. 

De Courcelles, having rested his men until the 12th, sud- 
denly broke up his camp and hastily retraced his steps to 
Lake Champlain and irom thence to Canada. The Mo- 
hawks, who were at their first village, learning the retreat of 
the French, immecUately started in pursuit and followed 
them as far as the l;dve, where they took three prisoners and 
found the bodies of five men who had perished of cold and 
hunger.t 

The expedition of M. de Courcelles, although it had failed 

*Gordon says the whole of de Courcelles parly would have been destroyed but for 
the intercession of Corlear. 
ILondon Docaineiit II. In 1st Vciume Documentary History of New York. 



27 

to reach the Mohawk villages, through the mistake of the 
guides, caused much anxiety to the Indians ; nor were their 
fears diminished by the information communicated by the 
prisoners that M. de Tracy intended to send a much larger 
force into their country the next summer. To avert the 
threatening storm, they determined to make immediate over- 
tures for peace. According!}^, in June, 1666, ten Ambassadors 
from the Mohawks, accompanied by a delegation of Oneidas, 
repaired to Quebec, asking protection for their people and 
a renewal of the old treaties of peace, M. dc Tracy at first 
refused to receive their wampum belts, but perceiving that 
this caused them great anxiety, he finally accepted their 
proposals. But while the negotiations were in progress at 
Quebec, and just as the French viceroy began to congratu- 
late himself upon the future security of his colon}^, a tragedy 
took place on Lake Champlain, which for the time defeated 
his plans and destroyed all his confidence in the professions 
of the Indian deputies. 

Fort St. Anne was at this time garrisoned by several com- 
panies of the Carignan regiment, one of winch was com- 
manded by Sieur de Chasy, a nephew of the viceroy. 
Apprised of the friendly professions of the Mohawks and their 
desire for peace, the ambassadors of that nation having pass- 
ed the fort on their way to Quebec, the officers relaxed their 
usual vigilance and amused themselves by fishing and hunt- 
ing in the neighborhood. While a small party of French 
officers and soldiers were thus engaged, they were suddenly 
attacked by a band of Mohawk Indians, who killed two 
Carignan Captains, de Travesy andde Chasy, and took sev- 
eral volunteers prisoners. Information of this treacherous 
act was immediately sent to Quebec, and one of the Indian 
deputies had the vain audacit}^ to boast, at M. de Tracy's 
table, that he had slain the officers with his own hand. The 
Indian was seized and strangled on the spot ; and M. de Tra- 
cy, breaking off all negotiations, sent M. de Sorel, at the 
head of three hundred men, against the Mohawk villages, 



2S 

with orders to overrun tiie w]ifJ.c countr}^ and to put ever}'' in- 
habitant to the sword. M. de Sorel had by forced marches 
crossed Lake Champlain, and was pushing rapidly towards 
the Indian villages, when he was met by a new deputation 
from the Mohawks, bringing back die Frenchmen taken pris- 
oners near Fort St. Anne and offering every satisfaction for 
the murders committed there. 

Still desirous to secure peace, and in the belief that the 
demonstration already made had over-awed the Indians, M. 
de Sorel retraced his steps to Quebec, where negotiations 
were asain resumed with such success that, on the 12th of 
July, a treaty was signed b}" which the Indians agreed to re- 
store the Canadian, Algonquin and Huron prisoners in their 
hands, and to become the fast friends and allies of the French. 
On the other part, the viceroy promised to extend his protec- 
tion over their nation, "to send some black gowns (Jesuit 
missionaries) among them" and "to open a trade and com- 
merce by the lake du Saint Sacrement."* 

*Relation8, en annees, 16G5 — 6. 



Errata. — On page 16, instead of Tadouassac, re.ad Tadoussac — and on page 17, 
instead of Agormousionni, read Agonnonsionni. 



CHAPTER 11. 

U. lie Tracy collects a large army at Isle La Motte— Ho marches against and des- 
troys the Mohawk villages— Condition of Canada— De Calliercs' project for the 
invasion of Xew York— Burning of Schenectady— Captain John Schuyler's at- 
tack on Fort Laprairie— Major Philip Schuyler's expedition to Canada — de Froute- 
nao marches a,ainst the Mohawks. 

War is the delight of the savage. It furnishes an excite- 
ment necessary to his happiness. Without it he pines and 
wastes in insufferable quiet ; a restless, miserable being. 
To obtain rehef he hesitates not to violate the most sacred 
treaties or break the ties of long continued friendship. "We 
must either," says Sir William Johnson,* "permit these people 
to cut each other's throats, or risk their discharging their 
fury on our traders and defenceless frontiers." 

M. de Tracy soon found that he could only secure perma- 
nent peace and quiet to the colony, by an expedition into the 
Mohawk country, of such force as to make that implacable 
nation feel the destructive power of the French Arms. With 
such an army he now prepared to march against the Indian 
villages on the Mohawk River. Never had Fort St. Anne 
presented so lively a scene as was beheld there in Septem- 
ber, 1666. Within the fort and close under its defences 
were collected six hundred veterans of the Carignan-Salieres, 
while on the main shore opposite lay encamped an equal 
number of volunteers, haUtans of the colony. One hundred 
Huron and Algoifquin warriors, bedaubed with pamt and 
bedecked with feathers, stalked majestically among the 
crowd, and rendered the night boisterous with their war 
songs and dances. The labor of preparing this expechtion, 
the largest which had yet been collected on Lake Champlain, 
was confided to M. Talon, Intendant of New France. 

♦Letter to Earl of Hillsborough. 



30 

On the 1st, of October M. de Courcelles started from the 
fort at the head of four hundred men. On the the 3d the 
main body of the army moved off" under the immediate 
command of M. de Tracy, who despite his advanced years, 
was determined to lead the expedition in person. Four 
days after Sieurs de Chambly and Berthier f illowed with 
the rear guard. The progi-ess of the army, after it reached 
the upper end of tlie lake, was slow and laborious, as the men 
dragged with them two small pieces of cannon and three 
hundred bateau or bark canoes, which had been provided for 
crossing the lakes and rivers on the route. It was de Tracy's 
intention to surprise the Indians before they should learn of 
his advance ; but, notwithstanding the great caution of the 
troops, the Mohawks received timely information of tlieir 
approach, and, abandoning the villages, secreted themselves 
in the surrounding forests, or ascended the mountains, and 
from a distance fired random shots at the soldiers. The 
French found the cabins of this nation larger and better built 
than any they had seen elsewhere. The villages were sur- 
rounded by a triple palisade twenty feet in hight, newly re- 
paired and strengthened and flanked by four bastions. Large 
quantities of Indian corn, beans and other provisions were 
stored away in magazines sunk in the ground, and numerous 
tanks, made of bark and filled, stood about the enclosure to 
supply the inhabitants with water, and to extinguish fires 
when necessary. Everything indicated that the Indians in- 
tended to make a strong defence, had they not been intimi- 
dated by the strength and numbers of the invaders. But as 
it was, not a warrior or able-bodied man was to be seen ; 
tliej' had fled, leaving behind only tlie women and a few old 
and decrepit persons, too feeble to escape. These M. de 
Tracy retained as prisoners. In this manner he passed 
through the whole country until he reached the most remote 
Mohawk village, which he burned. After celebrating Mass 
and returning thanks to God for the success of the enterprise, 
the French retraced their steps towards Canada, on their 



31 

way burning the other villages and destroying all the provis- 
ions they could not carry oft!* 

While the army was passing near Schenectady on its re- 
turn, M. de Courcelles called upon Corlear, who it will be 
remembered had rendered the French such signal service 
the preceding winter, and invited him to visit Canada. On 
Lake Champlain the fleet of boats encountered a heavy 
storm, which capsized two canoes with eight persons on 
board, all of whom were unibrtunately drowned. Among 
the persons thus lost were Corlear and Lieut. Sieur de Lu- 
ges, an oflicer of great merit and distinction. t 

The expedition of M. de Tracy effectually subdued the 
Mohawks, and, for the next twenty years, secured the settle- 
ments on the St. Lawrence irom the inroads of that nation. 
But Canada was n(jt destined long to enjf)y the blessings of 
profoiuid peace. Ten years had scarce elapsed before she 
found herself again engaged in a destructive war with the 
Western Iroquois, which continued, with short intervals of 
truce and with varied success, until the treaty of Utrecht in 
1713. For several years after the commencement of this 
war the English colonists were on friendly terms with those 
of Canada, and repeatedly refused to aid the Western Iro- 
quois in their controversy with the French. They were 
equally careful to do nothing to prevent it. "The Five Na- 
tions are a bulwark between us and the French," said Gov- 
ernor Dongan.l Tliat bulwark was strongest in war. In 
times of peace it might crumble into atoms. 

The accession of William and Mary to the throne of Eng- 
land, in 16S9, was followed by a war between the EngHsh 

^Relation, &o., en la Nouv: France, en annees 1GG5 — 6. 

fTho accounts of these exp^itions through Lake Champlain do not clearly indi- 
cate the route followed by the French, b:;t it was probably along the western border 
of the lake as far south as the outlet of Lake George, then up the outlet and through 
that lake to its head, from whence it crossed the country to the ■waters of the Hud- 
son River. In the treaty between the French and Iroquois, referred to at the close 
of the preceding chapter, it was expressly provided that trade and commerce be 
opened to the Irocucis, with New France, 'by the lake du saint Sacrement." 

:i:Dongau's Report to the Committso of Trade : 1687. 



82 

and French, which continued until the peace of liyswick in 
1G97. The news of the quarrel between the mother countries 
soon reached America, and found the Colonists of both 
nations, not only wilUng, but anxious to participate in the 
struggle. The Chevalier de Callieres, who was Governor 
of Montreal and Commander-in-Chief of the troops and Mili- 
tia in Canada, visited France in the year 1689, and submit- 
ted to the King a project for the reduction of the Province 
of New York, the re-establishment of French ascendency 
over the Five Na,tions, and the consequent control of the lu- 
crative fur trade of America. 

De Callieres' plan was to lend an army of two thousand 
men up the Richelieu River and Lake Champlain as far as 
tiie carrying place between Wocxl Creek and the Hudson 
River, where he would build a smsill log fort, and gaxrison it 
with two hundred men to guard the bateau during his 
absence. With the rest of his army he would inarch direct 
against Fort Orange (Albany) which he would seize, and then, 
embarking in the boats and canoes found there, would push 
on for New York. This town he represented as containing 
tWTj hundred houses, and as protected by a small fort which 
could offer but a slight resistance to his attack. To prevent 
succor reaching the town from Boston or England, he re- 
quu'ed tliat two ships of war should be sent to cruise in the 
mouth of the river until his arrival. De Callieres predicted 
the highest benefits to France from the success of his project. 
"It will," he declaimed, "firmly establish the Christian reli- 
gion as well among the Iroquois as among the other savages to 
whom we shall be able to speak as masters, when they are 
encircled on the side of Canada as well as of New York. It 
wiU secure and facilitate the cod-fishery, which is carried 
on along our coasts of Lacadie and on the Great Bank. It 
wiU give His Majesty one of the finest harbors in America 
which can be entered during almost all seasons of the j^ear, 
in less than one month of very easy navigation." Accept 
the favorable opportunity which presents itself of becoming 



33 

masters of New York, adds de Callieres iu conelusioii, and 
the trade of our Colony will llourisli; reject it and English 
intrigues with the Iroquois and other savages will destroy 
Canada in a little while.* 

The French King received do Calliercs with favor and in 
June of the same year sent instructions to Count de Fronte- 
nac, then viceroy of Canada, to organize an expedition to 
carry out the proposed plan, and directed that de Calliercs 
should be appointed Governor of the conquered Province. — 
The King also ordered Sieur Begon to send out two ships of 
war under command of Sieur de la Caffiniere, who was in- 
structed to place himself under the direction of de Fronte- 
nac. Should the })roposed expedition fail, de Caffiniere was 
ordered 'Ho mak(' wnr against the English, and to range 
along the coasts of New England and New York, to capture 
as many prizes as possible, and to remain there until he have 
no more provisions tiran are necessary for his return to 
France."t 

While the French were engaged in prosecutingthe war with 
the Indians at the west they seem to have been regardless of 
the exposed state of the frontier towards Lake Champlain. 
The old forts of St. Anne and St. Theresa, which had proved 
so great a protection twenty years before, were suffered to 
decay. Montreal was not fortified ; a triple palisade, in poor 
repair, being its main defence. Indeed the only work in 
that quarter of any strength was the fort at Chambly, which 
had been rebuilt of stone and was surrounded by a small 
but flourishing settlement. On the 12th of November 16S7 a 
formidable party of the Iroquois suddenly attacked this fort. 
The garrison made a successful resistance, but the settle- 
ment aroundl was ravaged and several of the inhabitants 
taken prisoners. A few days later the whole country between 
the St. Lawrence and the Richelieu swarmed with a savage 
host, who demanded immediate audience with the Governor, 



*De Callieres to the Marquis of Seignelay. January, 1689. 
flnstructions to Count de Frontenac, June 7th, 1689 

5 



34 

M. de Denonville, and haughtily dictated peace to the weak 
and terrified inhabitants. " Look," cried the proud Chief^ 
pointing towards a band of twelve hundred warriors at his 
back, "we are like the leaves of the forest in number and 
stronger than the mighty oak. Your people are few and 
weak. We have no occasion to lift our whole hand, for our 
little finger is sufficient to destroy you." Denonville bowed 
before a storm he could not resist, and concluded a treaty of 
peace upon the terms proposed by the savages. 

Of short duration was this boon of peace to the French, 
the acceptance of which alike proclaimed their own humilia- 
tion and the power of their savage foe. On the 26th of 
July, 16S8, twelve hundred Indian warriors landed on the 
island of Montreal, and having overpowered a force of one 
hmidred and fifty Canadians and fil'ty Indians imprudently 
sent against them, devastated the whole settlement, killing 
nearly a thousand of the inhabitants and bearing two hundred 
of them into captivity.* The St. Lawrence frontier was now 
at the mercy of the fierce and relentless Iroquois. The power 
of the French was paralyzed ; trade languished, agriculture 
was interrupted and the very existence of the colony threat- 
ened. 

Such was the gloomy condition of affairs when the instruc- 
tions of the King, for an invasion of New York, reached the 
Count de Frontenac. The troops in Canada consisted of 
thirty-five companies of regulars, each of which, when full 
numbered fifty men. But at least four hundred and fifty 
were required to fill the ranks, so that the actual numl^er did 
not exceed thirteen hundred. t Of the hdbitans, about three 
thousand were able to bear arms.| Although de Frontenac 
could not send out an expedition of the magnitude and 
strength proposed in his instructions, he nevertheless deter- 



*Gordon — Warburton, Vol. 1. 
I De Callieres to the Marquis of Seignelay. 

:tThis was the estimated number in 1687. It had probably decreased during the 
two succeeding years — See Gov. Dongan's Report to Board of Trade. 



35 

mined to organize three small detachments to march against 
the English. One was to rendezvous at Montreal and was 
to proceed against Albany, another was to assemble at 
Three Rivers, from whence a descent was to be made up- 
on the settlements near the Connecticut, and the third 
was to start from Quebec to attack the settlements, on the 
seaboard, east of Boston. 

The party which left Three Rivers surprised and destroyed 
the English settlement of Salmon Falls and on their retreat, 
falling in with M. de Mamerval, who had marched from 
Quebec, joined him in an attack on the fortified village of 
Kaskebe upon the sea coast, which they captured after a 
severe struggle.* 

The third and most important detachment numbered two 
hundred and ten men, inclucUng ninety six Huron and Algon- 
quin Indians. This detachment was placed under the com- 
mand of two Canadian officers, Sieur la Moyne de St. Hele- 
ne and Lieutenant Daillebout de Mantet, having under 
them d' Iberville and de Montesson. Attached to the 
expedition as volunteers were Sieurs de Bonrepos and 
de la Brosse, two Calvinist officers, and Sieurs de Blainville 
and de Montigny. The party left Montreal about the middle 
of the month of January 1690, crossing to the Richelieu and 
ascending that river and Lake Champlain on the ice. At 
the close of the sixth day's march a consultation was held to 
determine the route to be taken and to regulate thf plan of 
attack. The Indians asked where the officers proposed to 
lead them. To this da St Helene replied that he had 
received no orders to march against any particular place, but 
generally to act as he should think best, and that he wished 
to attack and surprise Fort Orange, which he represented 
as the Capitol of New York and a place of considerable im- 
portance. The Indians, remembering the defeats of the 
French during the preceding year, and holding their prowess 
in slight esteem, opposed this plan as rash and impractica- 

*Warburton, Vol, 1. 



36 

blc. "Atkick im iiiiued fi»rt indeed," cried a swarthy war- 
rior ironically, "Since when have the French become so 
desperate !" "We wish to regnin our honor, "rephed de 
Mantet, "or perish in so glorious an enterprise." The IncU- 
ans, however, remained unconvinced and the party moved 
on without coming to a decision. 

Eight days after this the party reached the pomt where the 
two routes to Alban}^ and Schenectady diverged. The In- 
dians took the road leadmg towards Schenectady, and the 
French followed without objection. Nine days after they 
arrived, about four in the evening, within two miles of that 
place. Here the savages were addressed by one of their 
Chiefs, who uroed them to lose all recollection of their fa- 
tigue and to prepare to take ample revenge for the injuries 
they had received from the Iroquois at the solicitation of the 
Eno;lish. Having remained here to refresh themselves and 
prepare their aims, the party moved on, and about 11 o'clock 
came within sight of the village. The night was intensely 
cold and the citizens had retired early to bed — even those 
who usually guarded the gates of the pahsade had with- 
drawn, leaving those avenues open and undefended. In pro- 
found silence the Canadian officers marched into the village 
and distributed their forces among the scattered houses. As 
soon as each man was properly posted, the savages raised 
the war cry and the whole force rushed upon the unconscious 
Inhabitants. De Mantet, at the head of one party, assaidted 
a small fort which he captured and burned ; putting to death 
;all who defended it. De St. Helene rushed against the bar- 
ricaded doors of the private houses, beating them down with 
muskets and slaughtering every one who opposed his progress. 
In the confusion, M. de Montigny was wounded by the 
thrust of a spear. The massacre lasted for two liours, and 
during diat time sixty of the inhabitants, including women 
and childi-en, were butchered in cold blood. Having pillaged 
and burned every house in the village but two, the French 
.and Indians, early the next morning, started on their return 



87 

to Canada taking with them twenty- seven prisoners and car- 
lying off' fifty horses, besides a quantity of other property.* 
The news of this murderous assault reached Albany about 
five o'clock the next morning, and created the greatest con- 
sternation among its inhabitants. Alarm guns were fired 
from tljc fort, messages were sent to Esopus for assistance, 
and Laurence, a Mohawk Chief then in Albany, hurried to the 
Mohawk Castles to brin» down the warriors oi' that nation. 

O 

In three days a part\^ of fifty young men from Albany and 
one hundred and fifty Indians were collected at Schenectady, 
and started in pursuit of the retreating marauders. At 
Crown IV^int the young men gave out, but Laurence and his 
Indians continued on as far as Canada and succeeded in 
overtaking a party of Canadians, who had dropped to the 
rear of the main body, of whom the}^ Idlled six and took 
twelve prisoners. 

The accounts given by these prisoners were of the most 
startling nature. Count de Frontenac, they said, was busily 
engaged prejDaring tor an invasion of New York. He had 
already built one hundred and twenty bateau and one hundred 
birch canoes and intended, in the spring, to pass up Lake 
Champlain at the head of fifteen hundred regular troops and 
one thousand allied Indians. Letters were now addressed, 
by Lieutenant Governor Liesler, to the Governors of the dif- 
ferent Provinces, calling earnestly tor aid to .protect the 
exposed frontier beyond Alban3^ The Five Nations were 
also assembled in council and agreud to furnish eighteen hun- 
dred warriors to fight the French. 

Nor were the authorities of Albany idle. On the 26th of 
March they ordered Captain Jacob d' Warm to proceed to 
Crown Point with seventeen English and twenty Indians, 
and there watch the movements of the enemy. Four days 
later Captain Abram Schuyler was sent, with nine men and 

*M. de Monseignat's account. In this account it is stated that "some twenty 
Mohawks were spared, in order to show them that it was the English and not they 
against whom the grudge was entertained." 



38 

a party ol Mohawks under Laurence, to take post at Otter 
Creek, for a similar purpose. Captain Schuyler, while posted 
at Otter Creek, led a scout of eight Indians as far as Cham- 
blvj where he encountered a snicdl party of the French, of 
whom he killed two and took one prisoner.* 

About the 10th of April, one of the parties on Lake Cham- 
plain sent in word that they had discovered the track of 
twelve French and Lidians, proceeding in the direction of 
Albany. Warning of danger was immediately sent throughout 
the country and the inhabitants were advised to retreat into 
the neighboring towns for safety. Two fainihes, residing near 
Schenectady, neglected the advice and were attacked during 
the night and eleven of their number killed or captured.t 

The fear that this success might excite the French to further 
outrage hastened the preparations of the New York Colonists 
for the invasion of Canada. On the 1st of May an agree- 
ment was concluded between the provinces of Massachu- 
setts, Connecticut and New York by which each was to fur- 
nish its quota of troops for the expedition.^ At the urgent 
request of New England the command of the expedition was 
conferred upon John Winthrop. 

A naval expedition was also fitted out by the Colonists 
and sent against Quebec, under command of Sir William 
Phipps. 

The army under Major General Winthrop, numbering 
eight hundred men, left Albany about the 1st of iVugust and 
proceeded on its march as far as Wood Creek. There Win- 
throp waited a few days for the promised reinforcement of 
Indians, but these not arriving, nor furnishing a supply of 
canoes to cross the lake, as they had promised to do, he 
called a council of war, who decided it inexpedient to pro- 
ceed further. The expedition was therefore abandoned and 

'Documentary History of I^ew York. 

tid. 

:t:New York was to furnish four hundred men; Massachusetts, one hundred and 
sixty; Connecticut, one hundred and tiiirty-tive, and Plymouth, sixty. Maryland 
promised one hundred men. 



39 

the troops returned to Albany, where they were disbandecL 
Attached to Winthrop's army was Captain John Schuyler 
of Albany, a man of great bravery and energy of character 
and of considerable experience in border warfare. Schuyler 
was dissatisfied with the decision of the council of war, 
which he considered weak and cowardly, and declared the 
campaign should not be abandoned so easily. Beating up- 
for volunteers he soon gathered around him a little band of 
twenty nine followers, each as bold and daring as himself.- 
To these^ he added one hundred and twenty Indians who 
had arrived at the camp under command of Juriaen, called 
the ferocious, and having loaded a number of canoes with 
provisions, proceeded, on the 13th of August, as fai" as Can- 
aghsionie (probably Whitehall) where he encamped for the 
night. The next day he again embarked with his party 
and on the 21st of the month reached a point "one mile below 
the sand bank of Chambly."* In the course of the journey 
one of the Indians died. "He died of sickness," adds the 
brave Captain, evidently surprised that so quiet a death, 
should be reserved for a Mohawk. 

On the 22d the little party, having first secreted their 
canoes and provisions, started by land for Laprairie, which- 
lay on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River about 
fifteen miles distant. While Schuyler was slowly approach- 
ing Laprairie, the inhabitants of that place were having a, 
gala day in honor of their Governor, the brave old Fronte- 
nac, who having learned from his scouts that Winthrop's- 
army had retired, was marching with eight hundred men to 
Quebec, to repel the threatened attack of Sir William Phipps. 
in that quarter. Litde did the quiet husbandmen imagine, 
as they sat near their doors at evening, chatting over the 
stirring mcidents of the day, repeating to listening ears the 

*Schuyler in his journal of this expedition gives the Indian names of several 
localities on Lake Champlain. On the 16th the party, he tells us, reached Kanon- 
dorn, and, travelling all night, arrived the next morning at Oghraro. The next 
night they travelled as far as Ogharonde, where "they determined, by the majorities,, 
to fall upon Fort Laprairie." 



40 

wonders each had seen, and, perliaps, rejoicing at a security 
which the departure of the troops seemed to confirm, that a 
band of fierce and determined warriors Uiy secreted under 
the very trees which bordered the httle settlement, read}'' 
with the morrow's sun to bring destruction and death about 
those rude but happ}^ homes. 

Earty on the morning of the 23d Schuyler sent forward 
his spies, wlio soon returned with information that the in- 
habitants were leaving the fort to go into the fields to cut 
corn. It was Schuyler's intention to wait quietly until they 
reached the fields and then place his party between tliem 
and the fort, so as to intercept their retreat, but, through the 
eagerness of some young savages, the war cry was prema- 
turely raised and both the English and Indians rushed to the 
attack without waiting for orders. The French, taking 
alarm, hastily retired to the fort, but not until six of their 
number were killed and nineteen taken prisoners. As soon 
as the prisoners were secured the assailants fell upon the 
cattle feeding around the fort and Idlled one hundred and fifty 
head of oxen and cows. They also set fire to all the houses 
and barns outside the fort, which were speedily consumed. 
The English wished to attack the fort itself, but did not do so, 
as the Indians refused to riid them. The forts yt Montreal and 
Chambly now answering the alarm guns fired at Laprairie, 
Schuyler hastened his departure, lest his retreat might be 
cut off ; but, before leaving, his Indians burned the body of 
one of their number, who had Ijcen killed during the affray. 

The party retreated about seven miles, when they halted 
for dinner. The same evening they reached the river and 
embarked in their canoes. The next day they went as far 
as the ruins of old Fort St. Anne and, on the 15th, stopped 
on the long sand point near Port Kent, where they killed two 
Elk. The next day's journey took them to a place which 
Schuyler calls "The Little Stone Fort,"* from which a canoe 

*This was probably a slight work thrown up by Capt. d' Warm at Crown Point 
the March previous, or one erected at Ticonderoga by Capt. Sanders Glen while he 
-was waiting there for the advance of Winthrop's army. 



41 

was sent forward with the news. On the 27th the party- 
reached the mouth of Wood Creek, and on the y 1st inTived; 
with tlieir prisoners in safety at Albany.* 

During ilie winter of 1690-91 the New York Colonists were 
too much occupied with their interaal disputes to give much 
attention to military affairs. In the spring however their dif- 
ficulties ceased, and active measures were at once adopted 
to carry on the v^^ar with Canada. The frontier posts of Al- 
bany, Schenectady and Half-Moon were repaired, the Militia 
reorganized and a conference keld with the Five Nations, with 
whom the French emissaries had begun to tamper. The 
Indians not only pronrised to abandon all negotiations with 
the French, but pledged themselves to make war upon that 
people so long as the}^ should live. An expedition vf as now 
planned against Canada ; tlie Colonists wiseh-' concluding 
that the only way to secure the co-operatir)n of the savage.-^ 
was to give them active employment. 

On the 22d day of June, 1691, Major Philip Schuyler left 
Albany at the head of" one hundred and fifty English and 
three hundred Indians, and crossing Lake Champlain by the 
route taken by his brother Capt. John Schuyler, appeared,, 
unexpectedly, before Fort Laprairie, which he carried by 
surprise, killing several of its defenders. De Callieres, then 
Governor of Montreal, hastily collected eight hundred troops 
and crossed the river, when the English retreated to the 
woods, where they met and destroyed a small detachment 
sent forward to cut off" then* retreat. A short time after- 
wards M. de Valrenes coming up with a large force, a severe 
and desperate battle was fought between the two parties. 
Schuyler posted his men behind trees, and, for an hour and a 
half, withstood the fire and repelled the charges of the Ca- 
nadian troops. In this engagement the loss of the English 
was trifling, while not less than two hundred of the French 
were killed or wounded. Schuyler, fearing to be ovci-pow- 



■ Journal of Capt, Jolin Sctiuyler. 



42 

erecl by superior numbers, now hastily withdrew and returned 
to Albany. 

The favorable result of this expedition gave a new impe- 
tus to the warlike temper of the Iroquois and strengthened 
their friendship for the English. These Indians, for the next 
two years, so harassed the French that de Frontenac deter- 
termined again to invade their territory. For this purpose 
he collected a force of six or seven hundred French and In- 
dians and, about the middle of January, 1693, set out from 
Montreal, for the Mohawk va]ley. The march, upon the 
frozen surface of the lake and through the deep snows of 
the forest, was attended with great hardships, yet such was 
the energy of the invaders that early in February they pass- 
ed Schenectady unobserved, and falling suddenly upon the 
first Mohawk village, Idlled many of the inhabitants and 
took over three hundred prisoners. As soon as the intel- 
hgence of this incursion reached Albany, Major Schuyler 
collected a party of about three hundred men, principally 
Indians, and started in pursuit of the assailants, who, ac- 
cording to their custom, had retreated immediately after the 
attack. Schuyler continued the pursuit as far as the Hudson, 
and would have overtaken the enemy had not a severe storm 
of snow and wind prevented his crossing the river. As it 
was he succeeded in recapturing about fifty of the prisoners, 
with whom he returned to Albany. The sufferings of those 
engaged in this expedition were so great that the Indians fed 
upon the dead bodies of the enemy, and the French were 
compelled to eat their own shoes.* 

Although the contest between the French and English 
continued several years longer, this was the last expedition 
of any importance which entered the valley of Lake Cham- 
plain during this war. The peace of Ryswick, in 1697, was 
soon followed by a formal treaty between the French and 
the Five Nations. 

♦Gordon. 



CHAPTER III. 

Indian Depredations on the Frontier— Forts built _by the New York Colonists on 
Wood Creek — Two Expeditions organized against Canada — Condition of the 
Country about Lake Champlain — The French build a Fort at Crown Point— French 
Grants on the Lake — Troubles among the New York Colonists— Attempt to settle 
the Lands lying between the Hudson River and Lake Champlain. 

The history of events connected with Lake Champlain 
brings us clown to the year 1709. During " Queen Anne's 
War," which commenced in 1702, the frontier towns of New 
England were severely scourged by marauding parties from 
Canada. Deerfield was destroyed in 1704 by a party of 
three hundred French and Indians under command of the 
inhuman de Rouville.* In 170S, a party of four hundred 
men, including savages, crossed the almost impracticable 
mountains of Vermont and New Hampshire, and attacked 
the little fort and village of Haverhill which, after a sharp 
defence, they carried and reduced to ashes. 

These and other repeated and unprovoked aggressions at 
length aroused the British Ministry who, in 1709, at the earn- 
est sohcitation of the Colonists, adopted a plan for the con- 
quest of the French possessions in America. This plan 
contemplated an attack by water upon Quebec, whilst fifteen 
hundred men, from New York and the New England Prov- 
inces, were to attempt Montreal by the way of Lake Cham- 
plain. The inhabitants of New York entered warmly into 
the scheme. They not only furnished their quota of troops, 
but several volunteer companies were organized to join the 
expedition. The Five Nations, through the exertions of Coh 
Peter Schuyler, were induced to take up the hatchet and to 

*This expedition followed the route up Lake Champlain to the Winooski and then 
ascended that river and crossed the mountains to the Connecticut. On their return 
they secreted the "bell of St. Regis" in the sands of Burlington, where it remained 
until the following spring, when it was taken to Canada . 



44 

send (five hundred warriors into the field. New York also, 
at her own expense, opened a road from Albany to Lake 
Champlain, which greatl}'' facilitated the movements of the 
troops and the transportation of supplies. 

This road commenced near the present village of Schu}^- 
lerville and run up the east side of the river to Fort Edward, 
and thence b}^ the way of Wood Creek to the head of Lake 
Champlain. It ran the whole way through a dense forest. 
Along the route three forts were erected ; one on Wood 
Creek near the present village of Fort Ann ; another at the 
commencement oi the carrying place between the Hudson 
River and and the head of Wood Creek, which was at first 
called Fort Nicholson ; and a third on the summit of one 
■of the hills opposite vSchuylerville. Thi^se forts were built 
of timber and were surrounded by palisades so constructed 
as to protect the garrisons from the fire of musketry. One 
hundred bateau and a large number of canoes were built at 
the mouth of Wood Creek for the transportation of the troops 
across Lake Champlain. All the arrangements for the cam- 
paign being complete, the army left Albany under the com- 
mand of Col. Nicholson and encamped at Fort Ann, where 
they awaited intelhgence of the arrival of the expedition 
■destined for the attack of Quebec. 

These demonstrations on the part of" the English Colonists 
•created great alarm among the inhabitants of Canada, who 
were but ill prepared to resist the large force which threat- 
ened botli extremes of the Colony. A council of war was 
called by M. de Vaudreuil, under whose advice a force of 
'fifteen hundred men was sent to Lake Champlain to oppose 
the advance of Nicholson's army ; but a misunderstanding 
between the Governor General and some of his principal 
officers embarrassed the enterprise and ultimately caused 
the army to return. 

The two expeditions against Canada proved equally abor- 
vlive. The fleet destined for the attack of Quebec was 
•sent to Lisbon instead, to support the Portuguese against 



45 

the power of Castile, while Nicholson's army, discour- 
aged by dela3^s and almost decimated by a malignant and 
fatal malady which broke out in the camp,* returned to 
Albany, where the}^ were soon afterwards disbanded. 

In 171] preparations were again made by the Colonists 
for the invasion of Canada. Colonel Nicholson, under whom 
served Colonels Schuyler, Whitney and Ingoldsby, mustered 
at Albany a strong force comprising two thousand English, 
one thousand Germans and one thousand Indians, who, on 
•the 28th of August, commenced their march towards Lake 
Champlain, taking the Lake George route, instead of the 
unhealthy one by the way of Wood Creek, which had proved 
so fatal to the troops on the former expedition. At the same 
time an army of six thousand four hundi'ed men, under Brig- 
adier General Hill, sailed from Boston on board of sixty- 
eight transports, under convoy of Sir Hovedon Walker, for 
a simultaneous attack on Quebec.t 

As soon as M. de Vaudreuil received intelligence of these 
movements he hastened to Quebec, and, having strengthened 
its defences, confided to M. de Boucourtthe responsible duty 
of resisting the debarkation of the English troops, while he 
returned to the rescue of Montreal. But the plans of the 
invading army were destined to be again defeated. The 
British Admiral had neglected the warnings of an experienced 
French navigator, named Paradis, who accompanied him, 
and approached too near a small island in the narrow and 
dangerous channel of the Traverse. While embarrassed 
amid its rocks, a sudden squall scattered the fleet, driving 
eight of the vessels on the shore, where they were wrecked.|: 
Charlevoix says nearly three thousand men were drowned, 
whose bodies were afterwards found scattered along the 

*This sickness is said to have been caused by the Indians who poisoned the waters 
of the Creek. But Doctor Fitch in his "Survey of Washington County" questions 
:the truth of this accusation, and presumes the malady to have been a malignant 
dysentery, brought on by the troops drinking the stagnant water which flowed into 
>^he creek from the surrounding marshes. 

fGoi-don. i:Warburton, Vol. 1. 



4(') 

banks of the river. Alter this severe disaster the Admiral 
bore away for Cape Breton, and the expedition was aban- 
doned. The advance corps of Nicholson's army had scarcely 
reached the head olLake George, when intelligence arrived 
of the failure of the northern expedition. Orders were at 
once given for their return to Albany. 

These two abortive attempts upon Canada cost the Prov- 
ince of New York, alone, over thirty thousand pounds sterling. 
Their failure disheartened the Colonists and chilled for a 
time the affections of the Five Nations, who began to look 
upon the English as a weak and cowardly people. The 
situation of the New York Colonists was now most critical. 
Clouds of adversity lowered darkly over the Province. The 
river Indians became restless and evinced a strong and grow- 
ing disposition to break their allegiance ; the Five Nations 
Hstened favorably to the renewed propositions of peace from 
the French, who threatened an invasion of the Province 
by sea and land. Happily these impending evils were 
averted by the treaty of Utrecht, which was concluded 
in the spring of 1713. By this treaty the French King re- 
leased his nominal sovereignty over the Iroquois and recog- 
nized their country as subject to the dominion of Great 
Britain. 

As yet no settlements had been permanently established in 
the valley of Lake Champlain. Fort St. Anne, built in 
1665, had been occupied for a few years and then abandoned. 
The "little Stone Fort" mentioned by Schuyler in 1690, was 
a structure of no importance except as it served for the im- 
mediate protection of those by whom it was erected. Fort 
Ann, erected by Colonel Nicholson on Wood Creek in 1709, 
was burned by him on the return of his army to Albany in 
1711. Kalm saw the remains of the burnt palisades, 
when he passed there thirty-eight years afterwards. In 
1713 Fort Saratoga was the nearest post to the lake on the 
south, and Forts Laprairie and Chambly on the north. No 
settlements were commenced within the present limits of 



47 

Vermont until alter the erection of Fort Damnier, on tlic 
Connecticut river, in 1724. 

We have already seen that, from the first settlement of the 
country. Lake Champlain had been used as a thoroughfare 
through which predatory excursions were directed against 
both the French and English frontiers. Its control was 
therefore a matter of great importance. No movement was 
however made to obtain the command of this important 
avenue until the year 1731, when the Marquis de Beauhar- 
nois, then Governor General of Canada, erected a fort at 
Crown Point, which he called St. Frederic, in honor of 
Frederic Maurepas the, then, French Secretary of State. 
The English claimed the title to the territory on both sides 
of the lake, by virtue of their treaties with the Five Nations, 
and strongly remonstrated against, but took no steps to pre- 
vent its unauthorized occupation by the French. 

"Fort St. Frederic," says a celebrated traveler, "is built 
on a rock consisting of black lime slates* and is nearly quad- 
rangular, has high and thick walls, made of the same lime- 
stone, of which there is a quarry about half a mile from the 
fort. On the eastern part of the fort is a high tower, whichi. 
is proof against bomb shells, provided with very thick andl 
substantial walls, and well stored with cannon from the • 
bottom almost to the very top, and the Governor hves in the • 
Tower. In the terre plaine of the fort is a well built little 
church and houses of stone for the officers and soldi*crs. 
There are sharp rocks on all sides towards the land beyond 
cannon shot from the fort, but among them are some which 
are as high as the walls of the fort and very near them. 
Within one or two musket shots to the east of the fort is a 
windmill, built of stone, with very thick walls and most of 
the flour, which is wanted to supply the fort, is ground here. 
This windmill is so constructed as to serve the purpose of a 
redoubt and at the top of it are five or six small pieces of 

*Chazy Limestone — Emmons. 



48 

cannon."* Subsequently a trench or wide ditch was dug 
around the fort, on the land side, enclosing the hill referred 
to, above, by Kalm. This trench commenced at the water's 
edge about two rods north and terminated about fifteen rods 
south of the fort. Its greatest distance from the fort, in the 
rear, was thirty rods. . An enclosure was also erected about 
twenty-five rods north-w^est of the fort which reached the 
water's edge and surrounded several buildings used for sol- 
dier's quarters.t 

Soon after the erection of the fort a settlement of consid- 
erable size was formed about it, on both sitles of the lake, 
composed, principally, of the families of old soldiers who 
had been paid ofl" and discharged from service. The houses 
of some of the settlers were convenient and comfortable, but 
the majority lived in mere cabins built of boards. To each 
soldier in service was allotted a small piece of ground near 
the walls of the fort, which was cultivated as a garden, and 
occasionally occupied as a summer residence.* 

A small village stood about half a mile south-west of the 
fort, and one half mile further south was a hamlet, contain- 
ing four houses, surrounded by wheat fields.t 

The boats used by the inhabitants were of three lands j 
bark canoes, dugouts or canoes made of a log of wood hol- 
lowed out, and bateau. The last mentioned were construc- 
ted with flat bottoms of oak and sides of pine, and were 
used for the transportation of troops or supplies upon the 
lake. When Kalm visited the fort, in 1749, a yacht or large 
sail vessel made regular trips between that place and St. 
Johns in Canada.f 

Until 1759 St. Frederic was the seat of French power on 
the Lake. Here was a rallying point for the fierce Abena- 
quis from the St. Francis, the Arundacks of the fertile Ottawa 
and the warlike Wyandots of the west — drawn together by 
a common love of revenge or the hope of plunder. Here 

*Kalm's Travels in 174D. f Journal of the New Hampshire Scout. 
:f:Kalin says this was fche first sail vessel built on the lake. 



51 

of lands "two leagues in front and three in depth on Lake 
Champlain together with the penhisula which is found to be 
in front of said land."* In the same month another was 
issued toSieur de la Periere, "beginning at the mouth of the 
river Ouynouski (Winooski) one league above and one league 
below, making two leagues front by three leagues in depth, 
with the extent of said river which will be found compre- 
hended therein, together with the islands and hattiires adja- 
cent." Also one, to Sieur Douville, on the 8th of October, 
1736, for lands on the east side of the lake, "two leagues 
front by three leagues deep ;"t and another on the 13th of 
June, 1737, to Sieur Robart, King's Store-keeper at Montreal, 
"three leagues front by two leagues in depth on the west 
side of Lake Champlain, taldng in going down one league 
below the river Bouquet and, in going up, two and a half 
above said river." The island of North Hero or Isle Lono-ue 

O 

was granted to Contrecour, Captain of Infantry, and M. 
Raimbault received a large concession north and adjoining 
the lands granted to M. de la Periere. 

These grants were issued subject to forfeiture in case the 
lands were not settled and improved witliin a certain time. 
This condition not having been fulfilled, all but the two last 
mentioned were re-united to the King's domains by an ordi- 
nance of the Governor and Intendant of Canada of the 10th of 
May, 1741. The grantees gave various reasons why their 
lands had not been settled within the time. Pean could find 
no farmers to place upon his seigniory, St. Vincent had 
been absent on the King's service and Contrecour had offer- 
ed very advantageous inducements to settlers, including a 
bonus of three hundred livres, but without success. La 
Fontaine promised to go on to his grant immediately with 
three men, to build there, and was wiHing to furnish grain 
and money to any who should commence a settlement. 
Sieur Robart had surveyed liis lands and had neglected no 

*N'ow parts of Swanton and Highgate, Vt. 
fin town of Georgia, Vt. 



52 

inducements for young men to settle upon them. These 
excuses were not satisfactory to the Government Officers. 
They, however, declared that patents would be re-issued to 
any who should place settlers on the land within one year 
from that time. This was not done ; but soon after settle- 
ments were formed near the mouth of the Big Chazy river 
and at Windmill Point,* which were occupied for a short 
time and then abandoned. 

The lands originally granted to Pean were, in 1752, con- 
ceded to Sieur Bedon, Councilor in the Su2^erior Council 
t)f Quebec, and by him afterwards transferred to M. de 
Beaujeu, who owned a seigniory adjoining on the north. In 
April, 1743 and 1745, two patents of concession were issued 
to Sieur Hocquart, Councilor of State and Intendant of the 
naval forces at Brest, for a large tract embraced in the pres- 
ent towns of Panton, Addison andBridport, Vt., which Hoc- 
quart conveyed to Michael Chartier de Lotblniere in 1764, 
and ni November 175S, the Marquis de Vaudreuil, Governor 
General of Canada, granted to the same de Lotbiniere the 
seigniory of Alainville embracing over four leagues front by 
five leagues depth and lying partly on Lalie George and 
partly on Lake Champlain. 

The aggregate of these concessions embraced over eight 
hundred square miles of territory. No permanent settlements 
were however made under any of the grants, except on 
parts of the seigniories of Hocquart and Alainville, in the im- 
mediate vicinity of Crown Point and Ticonderoga. After 
the conquest of Canada the grantees petitioned for a con- 
firmation of their titles, but this the British Government re- 
fused, at the same time, however, declaring that the claim- 

*The first houses I saw after leaving Fort St. Frederic were some on the western 
side of the lake, about ten French miles from St. Johns, in which the French lived 
before the last war and which they then abandoned. * * * A AVindmill, built 
of stone, stands on the east side of the lake, on a projecting piece of ground. Some 
Frenchmen lived near to it. From this mill to Fort St. Johns they reckon eight 
French miles. The English, with their Indians, have burned the houses here several 
times, but the mill remained unhurt. — Kalm in 1749. 



53 



:ants should be entitled to so mucli of the concessions as 

should be proportionate to the improvements made on them, 

MAP OF FKENCH GRANTS ON LAKE-CHAMPLAIN . 




\ 



Refebe-vces.— A, Sieur Pean. — B, Sieur St. Vincent, Jr.— C, M. de la Gau- 
chetierc— D, M. Robart. — G, M. Contrecour, Jr. — H, La Manaudiere.— J, M. 
de la Periere. — K, M. Raimboult. — L, M. Douville. — M, M. do Beauvois, Jr. — 
N, M . Contrecour. — E, Alainville. — F, Ilocquart. — P, Crown Point.— Q, Lower End 
of Lake George. 

Note. — The Engraver has omitted to mark the south side of Missisco Bay, which 
forms the north bounds of do Beauvois Grant, marked "M." 



54 

at the rate of fifty acres for every three acres improved, 
provided they took out new grants for the same under the 
seal of the Province of New York, .subject to the usual quit- 
rents. No new grant to one person was to exceed twenty 
thousand acres, nor did this privilege extend to the grants of 
la Gauchetiere and others annulled by the ordinance of ihe 
lOtb of May, 1741. 

The claimants refused the smaller grants from the Prov- 
ince of New York, and declined to pay the required quit-rents. 
They fell back upon the originid title of the French King 
who, they contended, fii'st discovered the country and had 
held undisturbed possession of it to the year 1758. To this 
the authorities of New York replied, that the country south 
of the St. Lawrence River belonged originally to the Five 
Nations, from whom it passed to the English by virtue of a 
treaty made as early as 1683. That the treaty of Utrecht 
recognized the sovereignty of Great Britain over these na- 
tions, and that the possession of the French at Crown Point 
was an encroachment on British soil, which could confer no 
title to the French King. They also referred to an ancient 
grant (1696) to Godfrey Dellius of a large tract along the 
head of the lake, extending upwards of twenty miles to the 
north of Crown Point, as proof that the English had claimed 
the lake to be within their jurisdiction. But the strongest 
position taken against these claims and which, considering 
the weakness of the French title, induced the British Gov- 
ernment to disaffirm them, ^vas the fact that a large portion 
of the lands covered by the French grants were then held by 
old officers and soldiers of the provincial army, under patents 
issued under the seal of the Province of New York.* 

New York was the central point of English inffii<^nee in 
America. It held the ke}^? of Canada and of the great 
western lakes. Within its limits burned the Council Fire 
of the Six Nations,! the most powerful confederacy ever 

*For interesting documents relating to the French Grants on Lake Champlain see 
Documentary History of New York,Yol. 1. 

fThe Tuscaroras joined the Confederacy in 1712. 



55 

formed among tho Indians ; whose sway extended west to 
the Mississippi, and beyond the Ohio on the south. But 
though strong in position, New York was weak in power. 
Its history, from the death of Governor Montgomery in 
1731, to the close of Mr. Clinton's administration in 1753, 
is one of almost continued distrust and contention between 
the Executive and the Assembly. In this war of party the 
public business of the Province was neglected and the secu- 
rity of the inhabitants disregarded. Occasionally, however, 
the Government would awake from its lethargy and, lor a 
moment, return to the performance of its legitimate duties. 
During one of these periods of quiet, a plan was projected 
for the settlement of the wilderness between Lake Cham- 
plain and the Hudson River, to serve as a check upon the 
French positions on Lake Champlain. The Governor issued 
a proclamation, describing in glowing language, the beauty 
and fertility of the country, and ofiering the most liberal 
terms to those who might settle there. 

Seduced by this proclamation, Captain Laughlin Campbell 
came from Scotland, in 1737, to examine the land, and was 
so well satisfied with its appearance that he returned to Isla, 
sold his estate and brought over, at his own expense, eighty- 
three protestant families, consisting of four hundred and 
twenty-three adults and many children. The Governor 
of New York had promised Campbell a grant of 30,000 
acres, free of all charge, except those of survey and the 
usual quit-rents. But, on his arrival, the mercenary officers 
of Government refused to fulfill this engagement, unless 
they were allowed a share in the grant. This Campbell 
refused to give them. A dispute arising between him and 
the Government on this account, in which the Assembly 
joined with the emigrants, the negotiations were broken off* 
The emigrants were saved from starvation by enlisting in an. 
expedition to Carthagena, while Campbell, broken down in 
spirits and fortune, sought a home elsewhere. 

The Colonists long had cause to regret the folly of 



56 

the Government in not securing, at this time, the settle- 
ment of their northern frontier. The protestant Highland- 
ers, brought over by Campbell, were a race of hardy and 
industrious people, indued by nature and habit with great 
power of endurance. They would have formed a bul- 
wark against the French, who, for twenty years after- 
wards, retained absolute control of the lake and sent out, 
from their stronghold at Crown Point, bands of" marauders- 
to plunder and devast the frontier settlements.. 



CHAPTER IV. 

Sir William Johnson's Expedition 'against Crown Point — Eattle of Lake George — 
The French fortify Ticonderoga — Montcalm attacks the English at Lake George 
— Massacre at Fort William Henry — Defeat of Abercrombie at Ticonderoga — Eng- 
lish Scouting Parties — Putnam in trouble. 

Notwithstanding the repeated depredations of the French 
upon the northern and western frontier, no attempt was 
made to weaken their power until 1755. On the 14th of April 
of that year, the Governors of the different Provinces met 
in conference in Virginia, and determined upon the plan of 
a campaign, by Avhich to repel the encroachments of the 
French from the Ohio to the Gulf of the St. Lawrence. 
This campaign contemplated three separate expeditions ; one 
under Sir William Johnson against Crown Point,* another 
under Governor Shirley, of Massachusetts, against Niagara, 
while Major General Braddock, the Commander-in-Chief, 
with a tliu'd, was to move upon the French Fort on the 
Ohio. 

The expedition against Crown Point was to be composed 
of provincial troops and Indians. But the six Nations did 
not enter into the scheme with their usual spirit and alacrity. 
They were dissatisfied at the long continued inaction of the 
English, which contrasted unfavorably with the activity and 
vigilance of the French. Nor had the Indians been back- 
ward to express their cUsapprobation. "You are desirous 
that we should open our minds and our hearts to you," said 
the celebrated Mohawk Sachem Hendrick, at one of their 

*Sir William Johnson's Commission bears date the 16th of April, 1755, and recites 
that the troops are placed under his command "to be employed in an attempt to erect 
a strong Fortress upon an eminence near the French Fort at Crown Point, and for 
removing the encroachments of the French on His Majesty's land there." 

8 



58 

Councils. "Look at the French : they are men, they are 
fortifying everywhere ; but we are ashamed to say it, you are 
Hke women. You are bare and open without fortifications. "t 

This difference in the two countries was caused by the 
heterogeneal character and genius of the inhabitants. The 
EngUsh Colonists were bold, intelhgent and self-dependent. 
They understood and cherished the principles of self-govern- 
ment. Jealous of freedom, they watched their rulers with 
eagle eyes, refused to vote supplies unless they knew the 
money would be appropriated for the public good, and op- 
posed the erection of forts on the frontier, lest their guns 
might be used to overawe the people. On the other hand, 
France kept her Colonies in a state of dependence upon the 
Mother Country. The Canadians were allowed neither 
freedom of thought nor action. By this means the latter 
became, as subjects, more faithful but less independent than 
tlieir neighbors. France directed forts to be built in the 
wilderness, and her orders were obeyed. England also 
required forts, but, instead of building them, the Colonists 
questioned their necessity, objected to the expense and neg- 
lected to provide means for their erection. 

The words of the Mohawk Sachem were true. When 
the Governors met at Alexandria, England had no works of 
defense upon her frontier, while the French were fortified at 
du Quesne, Niagara, Crown Point and Beau-Sejour. But 
notwithstanding their avowed reluctance, the Six Nations at 
length renewed their covenant of friendship, and promised 
to support the Colonies in the approaching struggle. 

A considerable amount of land carriage had, in former 
times, to be encountered in passing from the Hudson River 
to Lake Cham plain. The portage commenced at the Hudson, 
near the present village of Fort Edward, from whence two 
routes diverged ; one leading by the way of Fort Ann to the 
mouth of Wood Creek, a distance of twenty-four miles ; 
the other passing by the way of Glen's Falls to the head of 

♦Documentary History of New York, Vol. 2. 



59 

Lake George, a distance of fourteen miles. From the first 
route a third diverged near Fort Ann, which led to the 
waters of Lake Champlain at the head of South Bay. By 
the aid of boats on Wood Creek the portage on the first route 
was usually reduced to from six to ten miles. This portage 
was called "The Great Carrying Place," and was selected as 
the point of rendezvous for General Johnson's Army, from 
whence it was to move to Lake Champlain. 

Early in July Major General Phinehas Lyman arrived 
at the portage with about six hundred New England troops 
and commenced the erection of a fort, which was afterwards 
called Fort Edward, in honor of Edward, Duke of York, 
the grand-son of the English Sovereign. Johnson reached 
the Camp on the 14th day of August, and found the army 
increased to two thousand eight hundred and fifty men, fit 
for duty. New recruits continued to arrive so that the Gen- 
eral found liimself, by the end of August, at the head of 
thirty-one hundred Provincials and two hundred and fifty 
Indians,* By the 3d of September the main army had 
reached the head of Lake George, while a great number of 
teamsters were engaged in dragging six hundred boats over 
the portage, to be used for the transportation of troops across 
that lake. Here Johnson halted for the boats to come up, 
and to announce the plan of his future operations. "I pro- 
pose," said he, "to go down this lake with a part of the army, 
and take post at the end of it, at a pass called Tionderogue, 
there w^it the coming up of the rest of the army and then 
attack Crown Point."t While the English commander was 
thus planning his advance upon Fort St. Frederic, the French 
General had left that post and was hastening towards South 
Bay. 

When General Lyman stopped on the banks of the Hud- 
son to await the arrival of the main army, the whole 
available French force on Lake Champlain did not exceed 

*Johnson to Lt. Got. De Lancey. 
t Johnson to the Board of Trade. 



60 

eight hundred men, exclusive of Indians. Early in the sum- 
mer, however, the Baron Dieskau, a brave old officer, who 
had distinguished himself under the celebrated Marshal 
Saxe, arrived at Quebec, accompanied by several veteran 
regiments from France. These troops were immediately 
ordered to lake Ontario, but Dieskau, hearingthat the English 
were in motion towards Lake George, changed his route and 
passed rapidly forward towards Crown Point, where he 
arrived about the 1 st of August. For the defence of this 
fortress seven hundred regulars, sixteen hundred Canadians 
and seven hundred Savages were now assembled.* 

Dieskau left a strong garrison at Fort St. Frederic, en- 
camped a portion of his army at Ticoncleroga, and with six 
hundred savages, as many Canadians and two hundred reg- 
ular troops, ascended the lake to the head of South Bay, 
and after lour days march, arrived within four miles of Fort 
Edward, on the Lake George road. The Indians now 
refused to proceed further in the direction of the fort, but 
were willing to go against the open camp ol the English at 
Lake George. The head of the column was therefore turned 
towards the lake. 

As soon as the English Commander learned that the 
French had left South Ba}^, he determined, with the advice 
of a Council of War, to send a strong party to reinforce Fort 
Edward, then guarded by two hundred and fifty New 
Hampshire troops and five companies of the New York reg- 
iment.t This reinforcement consisted of one thousand Pro- 
vincial troops, under command of Colonel Ephraim Wil- 
liams of Massachusetts, the founder of Williams' College, 
and two hundred Indian warriors led by Hendrick, the Mo- 
hawk Sachem. They started from the camp about nine 
o'clock on the morning of the 8th of September, expecting 
to find the French at or near Fort Edward. When Dies- 
kau learned, from his scouts, the approach of Williams' 

♦Bancroft's History of U. S. Vol. 4. 

^Johnson to the Governors of the several Colonies. 



61 

party, he extended his line on botli sides of the road in the 
form of a half moon, and in this order continued slowly and 
cautiously to advance. Colonel Williams, in the mean time, 
pushed forward with rash confidence, and had proceeded 
about four miles from the lake, Avhen he suddenly found 
himself in the very centre of the half circle. At that mo- 
ment the French opened a fire of musketry in fi-ont and on 
both flanks. Thus attacked on all sides by an unseen ene- 
my the Provincials offered but a shght resistance. For a 
short time the slaughter of the English was dreadful. Wil- 
liams fell dead at the head of his regiment, and the brave 
and faithful Hendrick was mortally wounded ; but the troops 
were withdrawn with great skill and coolness by Lieutenant 
Col. Whitney, who succeeded to the command on the death 
of Williams. 

Johnson lay at Lake George without intrenchment or de- 
fense of any kind. Aroused by the noise of the firing, he 
sent Lieutenant Colonel Cole with a reinforcement of two 
hundred men to the aid of Williams, and hastened to form a 
sort of breastwork with fallen trees, drawing up a few pieces 
of cannon which had been left five hundi'ed yards distant from 
the front.* At ten oclock the defeated troops began to ar- 
rive at the camp in large bodies, and, at half-past eleven, the 
French appeared in sight, marching in regular order against 
the centre of the breastwork. 

It had been Dieskau's purpose to rush forward and to 
enter the camp with the fugitives ; but the Iroquois (Caugh- 
nawagas) took possession of a rising ground and stood inac- 
tive. At this the Abenakis halted also ; and the Canadians 
became intimidated.t A few shots from the artillery drove 
them all to the shelter of the neighboring swamps, and left 
the French Commander and his handful of veteran troops 
unsupported. As the regulars advanced against the centre 
they suddenly halted about one hundred and fifty yards 
from the breastwork, and then again advanced, firing by 

*Review of ililitary operations in North America, 
-f Bancroft's History of the U. S., Vol. 4, 



62 



platoons. Finding it impossible to break the centre, Dies- 
kau moved to the riglit and attacked Williams, Ruggles and 
Titcomb's regiments, where a warm fire was kept up for 
nearly an hour. 

About four o'clock in the afternoon the English suddenly 
leaped over the slight breastwork and charged upon the 
assailants, who precipitately retreated, leaving almost all the 
regular troops dead on the field. The Canadians and 
Indians retired, in small parties, to the scene of Wilhams' 
defeat in the morning, where they were surprised and defeated 
by a party of one hundred and twenty New Hampshire and 
ninety New York troops, who, inider command of Captain 
McGinnes, had been sent from Fort Edward to reinforce the 
army at Lake George. The loss of the English this day 
was about two hundred and sixteen killed and ninety-six 
wounded ; of the French the loss was much greater.* Dies- 
. kau was found, after the retreat, leaning against the stump 
of a tree, thrice wounded and helpless. Early in the action 
General Johnson received a painful wound in the thigh and 
retired to his tent ; the command then devolved on General 
Lyman, who actually fought the battle and was entitled to 
all the glory of the day. Yet Johnson, by this victory, became 
a Baronet, and received a gratuity of five thousand pounds, 
while Lyman is not mentioned in the Official Bulletin. 

A rapid movement upon Crown Point would have forced 
the French to evacuate that post ; but Johnson knew not 
how to profit by success. Instead of following up his 
victory by a quick and well directed blow, he wasted the 
rest of the season in buikUng Fort William Henry ; a useless 
pile of wooden barracks, surrounded by an embankment 
and ditch, which stood on an elevated spot about three hun- 
dred yards from the temporary breastwork attacked by 
Dieskau. 

While the army remained at the head of Lake George, in 

"Johnson iu his official report of this battle estimates the loss of the French at 
from five to six hundred- Warburton states it as a "'little short of eight hundred." 



63 

timid inaction, Captain Robert Rodgers and Captain Israel 
Putnam, two daring and active officers belonging to tlie New 
England troops, made repeated demonstrations against the 
French, cut off many of" their working parties and obtained 
correct information of all their proceedings. Upon one of 
these occasions Rodgers and his men spent the night in the 
trench under Fort St Frederic, and at another time, surprised 
a Frenchman within gun-shot of its walls.* 

The season of 1756 passed without any military move- 
ment of importance being made, by either party, in the 
vicinity of Lake Champlain. The English conpleted the 
defences of Fort William Henry, and, at one time, comtem- 
plated building a fort at the head of South Bay ; but this 
last work was at first delayed and ultimately abandoned. 
On the other side the French were busily engaged in fortify- 
ing the peninsula of Ticonderoga. After the defeat of Dies- 
kau the remnant of his army sought shelter there, where 
they established a camp and commenced building a fort, 
afterwards called Fort Carillon. During the season of 1756 
over two thousand French were constantly engaged upon 
the work. The lake now presented a most lively appear- 
ance. Canoes, bateau, and schooners were constantly pass- 
ing and repassing between Canada, Crown Point and Ticon- 
deroga, transporting troops from point to point, or loaded 
with supplies and ammunition. 

Small scouting parties would occasionally leave Fort 
William Henry and penetrate as far as the French works, to 
gather information and beat up the outposts. Upon one 
occasion Capt. Robert Rodgers was sent on a scout with a 
party of fifty men and five whale boats. Rodgers drew his 
boats over the mountain into Lake Champlain and, passing 
Ticonderoga in the night, on the morning of the 7th of July, 
secreted his party on the east side the lake, about twenty- 
five miles north of Crown Point. While lying here, Rodgers 
counted thirty boats passing towards Canada, and, about 

*Jounial of the New Hampshire Scouts. 



64 

three o'clock in ihe morning, discovered a schooner of thir- 
ly-five or forty tons ut .nnclior ;i s^hort distance below. 
As he was preparing to attack this vessel, two lighters with 
twelve men on hoard approached the shore, into which his 
party fired, killing three of the Frenchmen and wounding 
two others. The lighters were taken and found loaded with 
wheat, flour, rice, brandy and wine. Destroying all but the 
two last, Rodgers hastened back, his men rowing none the 
less stoutly, when the prisoners informed them that a party 
of five hundred men were onl}^ two leagues below, on their 
way to Crown Point.* 

The campaign of 1757 opened early and brisldy on the 
northern ii-ontier. While the strong ice yet covered the sur- 
face of the lake and the snow lay in heavy drifts along its 
shores, eleven hundred French and four hundred Canada 
Indians, under Vaudreuil and the Chevalier Longueuil, 
marched from Ticonderoga to surprise the garrison of Fort 
William Henry. During the night of the 16th ot March the 
party lay upon the snow behind Long Point, and, early the 
next morning, appeared suddenly before the fort, expecting 
to carry it by surprise ; but Stark — the same who, twenty 
years later, was ready to make his Molly a widow for the 
cause of liberty — was there with his rangers, and the assail- 
ants were forced back, not however until they had burned 
several sloops, a large number of bateau, and some store 
houses wliich stood beyond reach of the guns of the fort. 

Soon after the return of the French, Colonel Parker was 
sent from Fort William Henry, with a command of four 
hundred men, to attempt the works at Ticonderoga. The 
detachment crossed the lake in whale boats and bateau, but, 
before reacliing Ticonderoga,were decoyed in an ambus- 
cade, and the whole p^rty, with the exception of two offi- 
cers and seventy men, either killed or taken prisoners. 

The French still urged forward the defences of Fort Car- 

♦Rodgers' Journal in 4th Vol. Documentary History of N. Y. 



65 

illon. Montcalm, brave, sagacious and active, was at 
Montreal preparing to carry out his favorite project of re- 
ducing Fort William Henry. Everything favored the enter- 
prise. The Indians, including many stern warriors of the 
Six Nations, gathered in clouds around the little fort of St. 
Johns on the Richelieu, and there danced their war dances 
beneath the white banner of France. Six days allerwards 
they landed, from two hundi'ed canoes, upon the rock-boun^ 
shores of Ticonderoga, where they were met l)y Marin, re- 
turning from a foray near Fort Edward ; his canoes decora- 
ted with the bleeding scalps of forty-two Enghshmen. Six 
thousand French and Canadians, and seventeen hundred 
Indians were now collected at Ticonderoga, armed to the 
teeth, and anxious to be led against the enemy. Montcalm 
needed no persuasion. On the last day of July M. de Levy 
was sent forward by land, under guidance of the Indians, 
with twenty-five hundred men, and Montcalm followed the 
next day, with the main body of the arm}^ in two hundred 
and fifty boats. 

Gen. Webb, a man of weak, irresolute and timid charac- 
ter, was in command of the Provincial troops, and had five 
thousand men with him at Fort Edward, while a body of 
one thousand men garrisoned Fort WilHam Henry. It so 
happened that Webb started for Lake George, with an escort 
of two hundred men, under command of Major Putnam, at 
the very time Montcalm was embarking his army at the 
lower end of the lake. On his arrival at the fort, Putnam 
was sent to reconnoitre as far as Ticonderoga, and had pro- 
ceeded part of the way, when he discovered the boats of 
the French moving slowly up the lake. Returning to the 
fort, Putnam informed Webb of the approach and strength 
of the enemy, and urged that the whole army should be 
brought forward immediately to repel their attack ; but 
to this Webb would not consent. Enjoining secrecy upon 
Putnam he returned, with dastard haste, to Fort Edward,. 

from whence he sent Colonel Monro, with one thousand men. 

9 



66 

to reinforce and take command of the garrison at the lake. 
Montcahn landed about the time of Colonel Monro's 
arrival, and immediately laid seige to the fort, at the same 
time sending proposals for its surrender. "I will defend my 
trust to the last," was the spirited reply of the brave Monro. 
The seige lasted six days, in the course of which the French 
General pushed his advances within musket shot of the fort, 
while a body of over five thousand Regulars, Canadians and 
Indians, under de Levy and de la Corne held the road lead- 
ing to Fort Edward in rear of the English works. Then it 
was that Monro, finding his provisions and ammunition nearly 
exhausted, and having received a letter from his pusillani- 
mous Chief declining to send him further assistance, con- 
sented to surrender. By tlie terms of capitulation the 
English were to march out wdth their arms and baggage, and 
were to be escorted by a detachment of French troops as 
far as Fort Edward ; the sick and wounded remaining under 
Montcalm's protection until their recovery, when the}^ were 
to be allowed to return to their homes. 

At the time of the capitulation lour hundred and fifty- 
nine English occupied the fort, while seventeen hundred and 
fifty were posted in a fortified camp standing on an emi- 
nence to the east, now marked by the ruins of Fort George. 
The troops marched out of the works on the morning of the 
10th of August, and had scarcely passed the gates, when 
they were attacked by a large party of Indians attached to 
the French army. These savages rushed on with the fury 
of demons. Men, women and children were murdered in 
cold blood, and in the most barbarous manner. The massacre 
continued until the English had proceeded half way to Fort 
Edward, when the scattered and ten-ified troops were met 
by an escort of five hundred men, sent out for their protec- 
tion. The French officers endeavored in vain to arrest the 
terrible onslaught. "Kill me," cried Montcalm, baring his 
breast, "but spare the English who are under my protection." 
The appeal was in vain. The vindictive savages had tasted 



67 

blood, and neither prayers, nor menaces nor promises availed 
whde a victim was to be found.* 

Immediately after the victory the fort was levelled to 
the ground ; the cannon and stores were removed to Ticon- 
deroffa and the boats and vessels taken to the lower end of 
the lake. Thus closed the military operations of the year. 
The French returned to resume their labor upon the walls 
of Carillon, Webb shrunk back to Albany and the timid deer 
again drank, unchsturbed, of the cool waters of the silver j 
Horicon. 

The British Government decided to press the campaign of 
the succeeding year (175S) with uncommon vigor. Twelve 
thousand troops were to attempt the reduction of Louis- 
burg on the island of Cape Breton, sixteen thousand w^ere 
to march against Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and eight 
thousand were to attack Fort du Quesne. The command 
of the troops destined for Lake Champlain was entrusted to 
Major General Abercrombie, who had succeeded the imbe- 
cile Loudon to the chief command in America. 

On the first of July, six thousand three hundred and sixty- 
seven Regulars and nine thousand and twenty-four Provin- 
cials were collected around the decaying ruins of Fort Wil- 
liam Henry. Four days later the whole armament struck 
their tents, and in nine hundred bateau and one hundred and 
thirty-five whale boats embarked on the waters of Lake 
George ; a large number of rafts, armed with artillery and 
loaded with provisions, accompanied the expedition. That 
night the proud host rested for five hours on Sabbath Day 
Point, and, early on the morning of the 6th, reached the land- 
ing at the lower end of the lake. 

Fort Carillon, against which the English were now ad- 
vancing, stood near the point of the peninsula formed by 
the junction of the outlet of Lake George with Lake Cham- 
plain. This peninsula contains about five hundred acres^ 

*Bancroft's History of U. S. Vol. 4. Conquest of Canada, Vol. 2. Williams* 
Vermont, Vol. 2, 



GS 



•and is surrounded on three ?ides by water. One half of 
die western or land side was then covered by a swamp. 
The fort was nearly one hundi'ed feet above the water, and 
stood on the south side of the peninsula adjoining the outlet, 
which here expands into a bay of some size. On the extreme 
easternmost point of the peninsula, at a short distance from 
the main work, was a strong redoubt of earth and stones, 
which commanded the narrow part of the lake. A battery 
also stood on the bank of the bay, a short distance west of 
the fort, while the low land to the north was covered by two 
batteries, standing behind its w^alls. The road from Lake 
Georse to Ticonderoga crossed the river or outlet, twice, 
by bridges. Near the lower bridge, and less than two miles 
from the fort, the French had built saw-mills, which were 
defended by a slight military work. They had also built a 
log camp near the landing at the toot of Lake George. 

To oppose the powerful army now advancing against 
them, the French had only twenty-eight hundred Regulars 
and four hundred and fifty Canadians. But Montcalm was 
not the man to hesitate. The apparent hopelessness of 
resistance excited him to action. With consummate judg- 
mentvhe marked out his hues, half a mile west of the fort, 
and pushed the work with such ardor that, in ten hours, a 
wall a^ many feet high had been thrown up across the high 
ground which lay between the swamp and the bank of the 
outlet. On the 1st of July three regiments, under M. de 
Bourlemaque, occupied the log camp at the foot of the lake, 
while the b^talion of la Barre was posted near the mills. 
When the English first appeared in sight, Bourlemaque fell 
back upon the mills, leaving Captain de Trepeze, with three 
hundred men, to watch the approaching column. 

Immechately on landing, Abercrombie, leaving his baggage, 
provisions and artillery in the boats, formed his men mto three 
columns and advanced towards Ticonderoga. The route lay 
through a thick and tangled wood which prevented any reg- 
Mlar progi-ess, and the troops, misled bj the bewildered 



(39 

guides, were soon thrown into confusion. Wiiile thus press- 
ing forward in disorder, the head of the advance cokimn, 
under Lord Howe, fell in with a party of the French troops, 
who had lost their way likewise, and a warm skirmish en- 
sued. At the first fire the gallant Howe fell and instantly 
expired. He was the idol of the array and had endeared 
himself to the men by his affability and virtues. Infuriated 
by the loss of their beloved leader, his men rushed forward 
and swept the French from the field. Abercrombie's bugles 
now sounded tlie retreat, and the fatigued soldiers returned 
to the landing place, where they encamped for the night. 

Early on the morning of the 7th, Lieutenant Colonel Brad- 
street moved forward with a strong party and took posses- 
sion of the saw-mills, while Abercrombie again formed his 
men in order of battle, and prepared to advance against the 
French works. But the attack was not made until the morn- 
ino- of the 8th, when the whole army was brought up, except 
a small detachment left to guard the boats, and a Provincial 
regiment stationed at the saw-mills. Montcalm had that 
morning received a reinforcement of four hundred men, un- 
der M. de Levy, which increased his force to about thirty- 
six hundred. Behind the newly erected fines, which were 
now strengthened by a wide and difficult abattis, he posted 
the tried battalions of la Reine, la Sarre, Beam, Guiene, 
Berry, Languedoc and Roussillon, and calmly awaited the 
onset. 

As the English approached, the rangers, fight Infantr}- , ba- 
teau men and Ruggles', Doley's, Partridge's, WiUiams' and 
Bagley's regiments of Provincials, with a battafion of the 
New York regiment, took post in front, out of cannon-shot 
of the French works. Next came the Regulars destined for 
the attack, while the Connecticut and New Jersey troops 
were drawn up in the rear. At one o'clock the English 
bugles sounded to attack, when the regular battalions moved 
forward with quick and steady step — the veteran fifty-fifth 
leading, closely followed by the gallant Colonel Graham, at 



70 

the head of Murray's Highlanders. As the columns ap- 
proached, and when the ranks became entangled among the 
logs and fallen trees which protected the breastwork, Mont- 
calm opened a galling fire of artillery and musketry, which 
mowed down the In'ave officers and men by hundreds. For 
four hours the English vainly strove to cut their way through 
the impenetrable abattis, until Abercrombic, despairing of suc- 
cess, and having already lost nineteen hundred and forty- 
four men in killed and wounded, ordered a retreat. Mont- 
calm did not pursue, for the English still outnumbered him 
four fold. Having refreshed his exhausted soldiers, he em- 
ployed the night in strengthening his lines — a useless labor, for 
the frightened Abercrombie did not stop until he reached the 
head of Lake George, and, even then, he sent his artillery 
and ammunition to Albany for safety.* 

Soon after the retreat of the English, Majors Putnam and 
Rodgers were sent, with their rangers, towards the head of 
Lake Champlain, to watch the movements of a party of five 
hundred Canadians and Indians, who, it was understood, in- 
tended to pass up the lake from Ticonderoga, under com- 
mand of the famous Marin. Rodgers, with the main body, 
took a position near Wood Creek, about twelve miles from 
its mouth, while Putnam, with thirty-five men, took post on 
the bold rocky shore of the lake about half a mile north of 
the Creek. Near the edge of these rocks he constructed a 
wall of stones, and placed 3^oung trees before it in such a 
manner as completely to hide the defense from the water 
below. Learning, four days afterwards, tli;it the enemy 
were approaching, under cover of the night, Putnam called 
in his sentinels and stationed his men where their fire would 
prove most effective ; ordering them to remain perfectly 
quiet until they received his orders. The canoes advanced 
in solemn silence, and had passed the wall of stone, when 
they became alarmed by a slight noise, caused by one of 



*Abercrombie's Dispatch — Conquest of Canada. Bancroft's History of the Uni- 
ted States. Williams' Vermont, <tc. 



71 

Putnam's men carelessly striking his gun against a stone. 
Crowding together beneath the rocks, a brief consultation 
was held by the party, when the canoes were turned back 
towards Ticonderoga. As they turned, Putnam gave the 
order to fire. This fire was returned fi-om the lake, and 
for a short time the contest was warmly kept up on both 
sides. Great was the carnage among the canoes, which lay 
exposed upon the smooth surface of the water. Marin at 
length withdrew and landed his men a short distance below, 
intenthng to surround the rangers ; but Putnam was upon 
the alert and immediately withdrew towards Fort Edward. 
While retreating through the thick forest an unexpected en- 
emy fired upon the party, and wounded one man. Putnam 
instantly ordered his men to charge, when his voice was re- 
cognized by the leader of the other party, who cried out, 
"Hold, we are friends." "Friends or foes," answered Put- 
nam, "you deserve to perish for doing so little execution with 
so fair a shot." The party proved to be a detachment sent 
to cover his retreat. 

A few days afterwards, Putnam was taken prisoner by 
some of the Indians attached to Marin's command. The 
Indians bound Putnam to a tree. A young savage then 
amused himself by seeing how near he could throw 
a tomahawk to his prisoner's head, without touching it — the- 
weapon struck in the tree a number of times, at a hair's 
breadth from the mark. When the Indian had finished this 
novel, but, to one of the parties, not very agreeable sport,, 
a Canadian came up, snapped his fusee at Putnam's breast, 
then violently and repeatedly pushed the muzzle against his 
ribs, and finally gave him a severe blow on the jaw with 
the but-end of the gun. Putnam was then stripped of his 
clothes and taken to the place selected for their night en- 
campment, where the Indians determined to roast him alive. 
For this purpose they bound him to a tree, piled dried bushes 
in a circle around him, and then set fu"e to the pile. At the 
moment when Putnam began to feel the scorching heat» and 



72 

had resigned himself lo the keen agonies of* certain death, 
Marin rushed through the crowd, opened a way, by scat- 
tering the burning brands, and unbound the victim.* 

This humane oiiicer, having reprimanded the savages in 
severe terms, took Putnam under his own protection and de- 
livered him to Montcalm, by whom he w^as sent to Montreal. 
— Tims, through hardships, privations and blood, were the 
sturdy Provincials schooled for the great and heroic deeds of 
the* American Revolution. 

*Thacher's Military Journal. 



CHAPTER V. 

General Amherst marches against Ticonderoga and Crown Point — Retreat of the 
French to Canada — Xaval operations on Lake Champlain — Progress of the settle- 
ment of the country bordering on Lake Champlain, prior to the revolution — New 
Hampshire Grants — Dispute with tenants of Colonel Reed — A new Province pro- 
jected by Colonel Skene and others. 

Notwithstanding the great importance attached by the 
Provincial and Home Governments to the control of Lake 
Champlain — the key of Canada — three campaigns, under 
three different Generals, had been undertaken without any 
progress towards the attainment of that object. Johnson 
was inefficient, Webb pusillanimous and Abercrombie want- V 
ing in military skill and firmness. The first halted his army 
to build a fort when he should have captured one ; the sec- 
ond, with four thousand men under his immediate command, 
abandoned the brave Monro to the tomahawk of the mer- 
ciless savage ; while Abercrombie, though far superior to both, 
by a false move and "the extremest fright and consternation," 
allowed less than four thousand men to repel the advance of 
fifteen thousand troops, truly said to have been "the largest - 
and best apportioned army in America." Success, however, 
had attended the British arms in other quarters. Louisburg 
capitulated to General Amherst in July, and in November 
General Forbes was in possession of Fort du Quesne. 

Pitt, the then EngHsh Secretary of State, had long desired 
the conquest of Canada, and was determined to leave no 
efforts untried to accompHsh that object. Fully apprecia- 
ting the skill, bravery and activity of Amherst, he appointed 
him to the chief command in America. Amherst entered 

upon his work with zeal. Wolfe was placed in command V 
10 



74 

of one expedition destined to the attack of Quebec; Pri- 
deaux was sent with another against Nitsgara, while the 
Commander-in-Chief led a third in person, against the French 
posts on Lake Champlain. 

Montcahii was indefatigable in his preparations for the 
approaching struggle. Three armed vessels were built to 
command the navigation of Lake Champlain, and the strong 
walls of Carillon again echoed with the noise of workmen. 
Still the French General, sorely pressed on every side, 
feared for the salety of that post. He could spare but few 
troops for its defence, and besides he well knew that its 
batteries were commanded by the controlling summit of 
Mount Defiance. "Had I to besiege Fort Carillon," said 
he the year before, while wondering at the retreat of Aber- 
crombie, "I would ask l)ut six mortars and two pieces of 
artillery."* Bourlemaque was sent forward to protect the 
fort with three battalions of Regulars and a body of Cana- 
dians and Indians, but he received instructions, at the same 
time, if nesessary to blow up the works on the approach of 
the Enghsh, to retire to Isle Aux Noix and there make a 
strong resistance. 

On the 21st of June, Amherst reached the head of Lake 
George with an army of six thousand men,where he remain- 
ed for a month, waiting for the rcmamder of the troops to 
come up. On the 21st he embarked with fifty-seven hundred 
and forty-three Regulars and five thousand two hundred and 
seventy-nine Provincials, and crossing the lake in four col- 
umns landed, the next day, near the spot where Abercrom- 
bie had disembarked the year before. That night his army 
lay under arms at the saw-mills, while the French held their 
old lines in force. On the night of the 23d, de Bourlemaque 
withdrew his men and leaving a party of four hundred in 
Fort Carillon, to mask his retreat, embarked with the main 
body for Crown Point. The Enghsh Grenadiers immediately 
occupied the deserted intrenchments. 



•Bancroft's History of tJ. S. 



75 

During the 24th and 25th, the French kept up a continuous 
fire upon the English camp, wliich was warmly returned. 
In the mean time, Amherst advanced his approaches within 
six hundred yards of the fort, and was prepared to assault 
the works, but the French, having now held their opponents 
at bay long enough to secure the retreat of de Bourlemaque, 
prepared to blow up and abandon them. Several mines 
were constructed under the walls and a fuse connected 
with the powder magazine. At ten o'clock, on the night of 
the 26th, they sprung the mine and hastily retreated to their 
boats.* The explosion scattered the flames in every direc- 
tion — breastworks, barracks and store-houses were consum- 
ed, while the report of the bursting guns, following each 
other in quick succession, announced to the retreating French 
the progress of the work of destruction. 

Amherst immediately commenced repairing the fort, the 
stone work of which remained mostly uninjured. He also 
sent forward Major Rodgers, with two hundred rangers, to /■ 
examine the position of the French at Crown Point, and to 
seize, and, at all hazards, hold some strong post near the fort. 
But this haste was useless, for before the Rangers could reach 
their post, the French had destroyed the fort, burned the 
surrounding settlements and retreated to Isle Aux Noix. The 
glory of St. Frederic was gone : 

"Obscure it sinks, nor shall it more impart 

An hour's importance to the poor man's heart." 

On the 4th of August, Amherst reached Crown Point with 
the main army and immediately traced out the lines of a 
new fort, about two hundred yards west of the old French 
works. This fort, although never completed, is said to have 
cost the English Government over two millions of pounds 
sterling. The ramparts were about twenty-five feet thick 
and nearly the same in height and were built of solid ma- 
sonry. The curtains varied in length, from fifty-two to one 

Conquest of Gaoada, Vol. 2. 



76 

hundred yards, and the whole circuit, measuring around the 
ramparts and including the bastions, was eight hundred and 
fifty-three yards. A broad ditch surrounded the work. On 
the north was a gate, and from the north-east bastion a 
covered way leading to the water. 

While engaged upon this work, Amherst directed Captain 
Loring, who superintended the naval operations on the lake, 
to build with the greatest dispatch a sloop of sixteen guns, 
a radeau or raft eighty-four feet long, capable of carrying 
six large cannon, and a brigantine. These were completed 
by the 11th of October, when the English Commander em- 
barked his whole army in bateau and started for Canada. 
Towards the evening of the next day the wind commenced 
blowing a gale, and the general was obliged to anchor his 
bateau under the west shore of the lake. Captain Loring, 
however, kept at sea with his armed vessels, and at day- 
light in the morning, discovered the French about forty-five 
miles down the lake. He immediately gave chase and drove 
a schooner and three sloops under shelter of Valcour Island. 
Two of the vessels were here sunk, while the other was run 
aground by her crew, who escaped into the woods.* The 
schooner escaped during the night. 

Amherst, after remaining wind-bound for several days, 
again started for Canada, but he had scarcely reached Val- 
cour Island, when the autumn winds threatened to swamp his 
vessels. Satisfied that he could accomplish nothing at that 
late and inclement season of the year, he now abandoned 
the enterprise and returned to winter quarters at Crown 
Point, where he arrived on the 21st of October. 

While Amherst was at Crown Point he opened a road 
from that place to "No 4" on the Connecticut river, and also 
planned an expedition against the St. Francis Indians, who 
lived on the east side of the St. Lawrence, near Three Rivers. 
The command of this expedition was entrusted to Major 

*See Brosrier'a Map of Lake Champlain, where the north end of Valcour Island 
if designated as the place where "the French eunk their vesBel in 176&." 



77 

Rodgers of the New Hampshire troops, who, in October, 
left Crown Point in bateau, with two hundred men. Tliis 
nimiber was afterwards, by an nccident, reduced to one 
hundred and forty-two, with whom Rodgers proceeded to 
JMissisco Bay, where he concealed his boats and a portion of 
his provisions and started by land for the Indian village. The 
expedition was successful. After reducing the village to 
ashes, Rodgers and his men returned to Crown Point by the 
way of the Connecticut River. 

In August 1760, Colonel Haviland left Crown Point at the 
head of fifteen hundred regular troops, eighteen hundred Prov- 
incials and some Indians, and on the 16th of that month, en- 
camped opposite the French post at Isle Aux Noix, and by 
the 24th, opened a fire of mortars upon it. Three days after, 
M. de Bougainville, the Commandant, withdrew from the 
Island leaving a garrison of only thirty men, who immedi- i 
ately surrendered.* On the Sth of September, Cononel v 
Haviland joined Amherst and Murray, under the walls of ^ 
Montreal. That same day the city was surrendered by 
Vaudreuil. By this act the French dominion in Canada 
ceased, and by the treaty of peace signed in Paris on the 10th 
day of February, 1763, that Province was formally ceded 
to Great Britain. This, says Mr. Smollet,t "was a conquest 
the most important of any that ever the British army 
achieved, whether we consider the safety of the British Col- 
onies in America, now secured from invasion and encroach- 
ment ; the extent and fertility of the country subdued ; or 
the whole Indian commerce thus transferred to Great 
Britain." 

When the French army retreated to Canada, it was ac- 
companied by the few inhabitants residing upon the borders 
of the lake. There was, however, at this time, a settlement 
of French and Indians at Swanton Falls in Vermont, several 
miles east of the lake, containing a small church, a saw-mill 

♦Conquest of Canada. Williams History of Vermont. 
fHistory of England. 



78 

and about fifty huts, which was not abandoned by them until 
the year 1775.* 

In the course of the year 1760, the New England troops 
frequently passed over the I'oad opened by Amherst 
from the lake to the Connecticut, and thus became acquaint- 
ed with the fertility and value of the lands in that section. 
These lands were soon sought out and settled upon. 

The lands north of Crown Point, although equally fertile, 
were more remote and did not as early attract the attention 
of the pioneer or speculator. They, however, came into 
notice gradually, so that several permanent settlements were 
made along the borders of the lake, during the fifteen years 
which intervened between the expulsion of the French and 
the commencement of the revolutionary war. 

In 1 766, Colonel Ephraim Doolittle, Paul Moore, Mar- 
shall Newton and others settled in the town of Shoreham, 
and, in the same year, Donald Mcintosh, a native of Scot- 
land, moved into the the town of Vergennes. A saw-mill 
was erected at the lower falls of Otter Creek as early as 
1769, and shortly afterwards a grist-mill was built at the 
same place. 

Some years before the commencement of the revolution- 
ary war, two Germans by the name of Logan and Pottier 
settled upon the points of land, in the town of" Shelburne, 
known as Pottier's Point and Logan's Point. They were 
engaged in getting out timber for the Canadian market, and 
are said to have been murdered near the north end of the 
lake, by a party of soldiers sent out from Montreal to escort 
them home, on their return with the avails of a raft which 
they had sold. Soon after their death, about ten families set- 
tled in the town, among whom were Thomas and Moses 
Pierson. 

John Strong, Zadock Everest and a Mr. Ward com- 
menced a settlement in the town of Addison, on the opposite 
side of the lake from Crown Point, in 1769 or 1770. A set- 

♦Thompson's Gazetteer. 



79 

dement was also commenced in 1770, in the townof Panton, 
by John Pangborn and Odle Squires, who were afterwards 
joined by Timothy Spaulding, Peter Ferris and others. Fer- 
ns resided at the bay in which Arnold burned his vessels 
during the revolutionary war. 

The town of Bridport was first settled, in 1768, by Philip 
Stone, of Groton Massachusetts. About the same time, two 
families by the name of Richardson and Smith moved into 
the township and commenced a settlement, under New York 
titles, and were Ibllow-ed by Towner, Chipman and Plumer, 
who held grants from the Governor of New Hampshire. In 
1773, Samuel Smith moved his family into the town and was 
followed during the following winter by Mr. Victory. A 
settlement was commenced at the lower falls on the Winoos- 
•ki River by Ira Allen and Remember Baker, in 1773.* 

These settlements were all on the eastern border of the 
lake. A few improvements had also been commenced on 
the New York side, which were principally confined to the 
grants made, by die colony of New York, to the officers and 
soldiers who had served in the wars against the French and 
Indians. The most important of these, lying north of Crown 
Point, was at the Bouquet River where WiUiam Gillilandhad 
erected a saw-mill, and where several persons, including 
Gilliland, Watson, Scarr, Cross, Blood and McCawley re- 
sided. 

WiiUam Hay and Henry Cross, lived on a tract of land 
granted, in 1765, to Lieutenant Friswell. Hay's house stood 
near the shore of the lake opposite Valcour Island. From 
this house his family watched the progress of the naval en- 
gagement between the American and British fleet, 11th Oct. 
1776, and witnessed Arnold's masterly retreat during the 
following ni^ht. Before the Revolution, the few inhabitants 
residing at the north end of the lake received their supplies 
from Montreal, which they were in the habit of visiting sev- 

*For further infonnation in relation to the first settlement of the towns on ,the- 
ffastern border of the lake, see Thompson's Gazetteer of Vermont. 



so 

end times in the course of the summer months. About the 
1st of June, 1775, Mr. Hay went to Montreal to purchase a 
supply of flour, and was there arrested and thrown into prison 
by order of General Carleton. He remained in prison sev- 
eral days, but was at length liberated at the solicitation of the 
merchants of that city. Mr. Hay, on his return, repaired to 
Crown Point, and gave information to the American Com- 
mander as to the strength and plans of the Indians, which 
was considered of great importance at the tinje. He also 
brought the first news of Carleton' s efforts to enlist the 
Caughnawagas on the side of the English. For some reason 
he was afterwards suspected of holding communication with 
the English. In July, 1776, while his wife and his children 
lay sick of the small pox, Hay was arrested and sent to 
Crown Point, by order of General Sulhvan; Cross accom- 
panied him. "These men are suspected of being inimical 
to us and have it in their power to give intelligence to the 
enemy," was the reason assigned for their arrest. 

As early as 1763, one John laFrombois, a native of Cana- 
da, accompanied by two men named Goude and Swarte, vis- 
ited the shores of the lake and remained a short time in the 
present town of Chazy, Clinton County. La Frombois re- 
turned to Canada in 176S, and obtained permission from 
Francis McKay to settle on a tract which McKay pretended 
to claim by virtue of an assignment of the old French grant 
to la Gauchetiere.* Qnder this license la Frombois took pos- 
session of what are now lots numbers seventy and seventy- 
two, in Dean's Patent, and built a house on number seventy- 
two, where he remained until 1776, when he was driven off* 
by the English and his house burned. He returned in 1784, 
after the war, rebuilt his house and remained in possession 
of the lot until his death in 1810. Joseph la Monte (now 

*See Chap. 3. La Gauchetiere assigned to Estebe, in 1746, who sold to de 
Pontbriant, Bishop of Quebec, in December, 1757. Pontbriant afterwards conveyed 
to de Montgolfier, Superior of the Seminary of St. Sulpice, who, in 1768, released 
to McKay, as one of the heirs at law of the Bishop, de Poatbriant. 



81 

Monty) moved ou to a lot near la Frombois', in 1774, which 
he abandoned two years afterwards, and reclaimed after the 
war. His descendants still reside upon the same land. 

After la Frombois' first visit, but before his actual location 
in 176S, Charles de Fredenburgh, a needy German noble- 
man, who, in 176G, had received from the English Govern- 
ment ii warrant for thuty thousand acres of land, lying on 
the river Saranac, moved on to the tract and built a house 
and saw-mill there. De. Fredenburgh remained on this tract 
until about the time of the commencement of the Revolution, 
when he removed his family to Montreal. He soon after 
returned to protect his property, and had been back but a 
short time, when the house and mill were burned down. 
Fredenburgh disappeared at the same time and was suppos- 
ed to have been murdered. The saw-mill stood on a fall of 
the Saranac, two miles above its mouth. 

In 1761, Philip K. Skene, an English Major under half pay, 
-who had been with Amherst in 1759, established a large 
Colony near the mouth of Wood Creek. In the autumn, 
Skene accompanied an expedition against Havana, and on his 
return, in 1763, found the settlement reduced to fifteen per- 
sons. He immediately set about re-establishing the colony, 
and, in 1765, obtained patents for twenty-five thousand acres 
of land lying on and near the Creek. Here he built a stone 
mansion forty feet by thirty, and two stories and a half in 
height. In 1770, he built a large stone building one hun- 
dred and thirty feet long, which was used for a military 
garrison and depot. He also built at this place a stone 
forge of about the same dimensions as his house, where he 
commenced the manufacture of iron. This was the first 
forge erected on the borders of the lake. Skene owned a 
sloop, with which he kept up a constant communication with 
Canada, and, at his own expense, cut a road through the 
wilderness as far as Salem, a distance of about thirty miles, 
from which point it was continued by others to Bennington. 
This road was used during the season when the navigation 
11 



82 

on the lake was closed by ice. In 1773, Skenesborougb 
contained a population of 379.* 

The causes which had formerly prevented the occupancy 
of the fertile lands of the Champlain valley were removed 
when the whole country came into the possession of the 
English Government, by the Conquest of Canada in 1760. 
But other difficulties almost immediately sprang up to 
retard the growth of this section, originating in the conflic- 
ting claims of the English Colonists to the sovereignty of 
that portion of the valley lying east of the lake. The col- 
ony of New York claimed jurisdiction as far east as the Con- 
necticut River, while New Hampshire asserted her right as 
far west as the shores of the lake and, south of the lake, tO' 
a line running parallel to and twenty miles east of the Hud- 
son River. Both Colonies frequently issued grants for the 
same territory ; causing much confusion in the land titles- 
and creating gi'eat animosity between the rival claimants. 

Prior to the close of the year 1763, the Governor of New 
Hampshire had granted charters to different persons ibr four- 
teen towns lying along and adjoining the east shore of the- 
lake, and, by similar grants, had asserted the right of that 
Colony to tlie whole territory claimed to be within her ju- 
risdiction. On the other side, the colony of New York issued' 
grants of land on the lake to eighty-one or more reduced 
officers, who had served in the French and Indian wars ; 
nearly one-half of which were located on the east side of the 
lake. The Colony had also appropriated a large tract, lying 
between Otter Creek and Mallet's Bay, for the disbanded 
soldiers of those wars. A county had also been organized 
by New York, called Charlotte County, which extended, on 
the north, from Lake Memphremagog to the St. Regis River, 
and stretched south, on both sides of the lake, far beyond its 

*Seo a petition to Governor Tryon, praying that Skenesborcugh might be made 
the Shiretown of Charlotte County. The petition is sigued by thirty-eight "inhabi- 
tants of Crown Point district and Ticonderoga." These thirty-eight probably, in- 
cluded all the settlers in the vicinity of those posts, on both sides of the lake. — 
Documentaxy History of New York, Vol. 4. 



83 

southern extremity ; the county seat was fixed at Skenesboro'. 
The efforts of New York to extend its jurisdiction to the 
east was met, from the first, by a most decided opposition on 
the part of the people. Conventions were called to devise 
means to protect the New Hampshire claimants in their 
rights, committees of safety were organized and the law 
officers and land surveyors of New York were driven by 
force from the disputed territor}''. These disputes were gen- 
erally confined to the southern part of Vermont. Occasion- 
ally, however, they extended as far north as the grants upon 
the lakes. 

In 1761, the Governor of New Hampshu'e granted a tract 
of land, lying around the lower falls of Otter Creek, (Ver- 
gennes,) to several persons, who moved there and, as early 
as 1769, had erected a saw-mill at the falls. Soon after the 
erection of the mill. Lieutenant ColonelJohn Reed, who had 
formerly commanded the forty-second Royal Highland Reg- 
iment, and who held a claim to the same land under the 
colony of New York, forcibly drove off the New Hampshire 
settlers and put about fifteen famlHes, his own tenants, in 
possession. These last extended the settlements and had 
erected several log houses and a grist-mill, when they were 
in turn ordered off by a party of "Green Mountain Boys," 
who burned the houses, destroyed the grist mill and put the 
New Hampshire claimants again in possession. 

In June, 1773, Colonel Reed persuaded a number of 
Scotch emigrants who had lately arrived at New York, inclu- 
ding John Cameron, James Henderson, Donald Mcintosh, 
John Bardans and Angus McBean, to accompany him to 
Otter Creek for the purpose of retaking possession of these 
lands. On their arrival they found Joshua Hyde and seve- 
ral other persons in possession, with whom Reed entered 
into an arrangement by which Hyde and his associates were 
to give up quiet possession of the lands and to allow Reed's 
tenants to retain the same, until the dispute as to title should 
be decided by the English Government. Colonel Reed paid 



.£61, 16s. for the crops and improvements, repaired the grist 
mill and also purchased a quantity of provisions and some 
cows lor the use of his tenants. He then left them and re- 
turned to New York. 

This arrangement, although made with the consent of the 
New Hampshire claimants, was disapproved by the com- 
mittee of safetj'-, who sent Ethan Allen, Seth Warner and 
Remember Baker, with a partj' of about one hundred "Green 
Mountain Boys" to Oticr Creek ibr the purpose of driving 
off the Scotch occupants. On the 11th of August, Allen's 
party, attended by H5^de — the same person who two months 
before had sold Ins claim to Colonel Reed — arrived at the 
settlements, drove the Scotch from their dwellings, burned 
the hay and corn and five houses, and then tore down the 
grist-mill, breaking the mill-stones in pieces and throwing 
them over the bank into the Creek. Cameron and his com- 
panions remained at Otter Creek about two weeks longer 
and then returned to New York. After their departure a 
small block house was erected at the falls, which was gar- 
risoned and afterwards used as a protection to the New Hamp- 
sHre claimants. Another block house was soon after built 
near the falls of the Winooski River. 

During the controversy between the settlers under the 
New Hampshire grants and the colony of New York, a pro- 
ject was started b}' IMajor Skene and others to form that 
part of New York, lying east of the Hudson River, into 
a new Province. To effect this object Skene visited Eng- 
land, and in March, 1775, wrote back that he had been ap- 
pointed Governor of Crown Point and Ticonderoga, and 
should soon call on the people for an address to show their 
loyalty to the King. During the absence of Skene the 
troubles on the grants had increased to an alarming extent, 
and it is extremely doubtful what would have been the result 
of the contest, had not the commencement of the American 
Revolution turned the attention of all parties to the common 
cause of the Country. 



CHAPTER VI. 

War of the Revolution — Surprise of Ticonderoga — Arnold at St. Johns — Sentiments 
of the Canadians — Invasion of Canada — Seige of St. Johns — Death of General 
Montgomery at Quebec — Retreat of the "Army of Canada." 

"We conjure you by all that is dear, by all that i.s sacred, 
that you give all assistance possible in forming an army for 
our defence," was the appeal of Massachusetts, while the 
first blood of the Revolution yet moistened the field of Lex- 
ington. Every section of the country responded to the call. 
Liberty poles were raised throughout Massachusetts and the 
adjoining Provinces, and everywhere the militia took up arms 
and hastened to the scene of action. 

"Putnam was at work in tlie field when the news came 
that blood had been shed ; he immediately dropped his im- 
plements, and started for Cambridge, without waiting to 
change his apparel. Stark was sawing logs, without his 
coat ; he shut down the gate of his mill, and commenced 
the journey to Boston in his shirt sleeves." The same spirit 
was displayed throughout the country. Occasionally, how- 
ever, a few persons were found who were inimical to the 
common cause. These were called Tories, and were often 
subjected to the most rigorous discipline. "When a disaffec- 
ted tory renders himself odious," says Doctor Thacher, "he 
is seized by a company of armed men, and conducted to 
the liberty pole, under which he is compelled to sign a 
recantation, and give bonds for his future good conduct." 

Upon one occasion a divine of Long Island pronounced, 
from his pulpit, a severe philippic against the Patriots, stig- 
matizing them as rebels, robbers and assassins. Information 



of the high tory character of the discourse was carried to 
Captain Nathaniel Piatt, a most zealous Patriot, who com- 
manded a company of Long Ishmd Militia. Capt. Piatt imme- 
diately c;d'ed out his men, seized the minister and carried him 
to ih(> liberty pole, around which ihe company were f rnied. 
The minister was there severely reprimanded, and forc-d to 
walk up and kiss the pole as a punishment for his political 
heresy. On the next Sabbath Captain Piatt was at the 
church, to see what effect his "discipline" had produced upon 
the man of God. For a long time the discourse was unex- 
ceptionable, but, while the minister was portraying the en- 
joyments of heaven to the true christian, he gave expres- 
sion to his ieehngs by turning towards the Captain and 
exclaiming, "there are no rebels in heaven, my brethren. — 
No ! and you will find no Nathaniel Platts there, nor any 
accursed liberty poles to kiss." 

The great body of the clergy, however, were firm and 
zealous Patriots, who daily offered the most fervent prayers 
in behalf of their bleeding and afflicted country. Upon 
one occasion, a zealous divine, who had been compelled to 
abandon his congregation in Boston, used the following em- 
phatic language. "Oh ! Lord, if our enemies will fight us, 
let them have fighting enough. If more soldiers are on their 
way hither, sink them, O Lord, to the bottom of the sea." 
"Amen," responded his congregation, "Yea, Lord, let them 
have fighting enough." 

Among the men brought out by the Revolution to meet the 
exigencies of the times, were Ethan Allen and Benedict Ar- 
nold. Arnold, a native of Connecticut, was indued with 
qualities which characterized hun, at once, as the best of 
warriors and the meanest of men. In battle he was "the 
bravest among the brave." No enterprise was too daring 
for him to undertake, no obstacle too great for him to sur- 
mount. Whether among the unexplored forests of Maine, 
upon the decks of a little vessel on Lake Champlain, before 
the muskets of a platoon at Danbury or under the fire of 



87 

Burgoyne's veterans at Bemis' Heights, he was firm, daring 
and unterrified. But, in every other respect, the man was 
despicable. In early life he had been, by turns, a half-bred 
apothecary, a retailer, a skipper and a jockey, and had 
marked his course by hypocrisy, falsehood and crime. To 
escape the grasp of his creditors, he committed peijury, and 
to relieve himself of pecuniary embarrassments, occasioned 
by a life of extravagance and profligacy, he practised every 
dirty act of peculation, and, ultimately, aimed a traitor's 
dagger at the bosom of his countr3^ 

Ethan Allen was also a native of Connecticut and pos- 
sessed all the impetuous daring of Arnold, but without his 
vices. Associated in early life with the pioneers of Ver- 
mont, he soon became one of the leading njcn in that quar- 
ter, and by his bold unyielding spirit, repelled the repeated 
attempts of New York to extend her jurisdiction over the 
New Hampshire Grants. As a political writer he was clear 
and forcible, but uncultivated ; as a leader, bold and decided, 
but often rash ; as a man, frank, generous and unassuming. 

Such were the two men who, on the 7th of May, 1775, 
met at Castleton to lead an expedition to the surprise of Ti- 
conderoga. Allen, furnished with funds by Dean, Wooster 
and Parsons, in behalf of the Assembly of Connecticut, had 
collected a band of two hundred and seventy men, all but 
fortj^-six of whom were his own well tried and faithful Green 
Mountain Boys, led by Brown and tlie cool and cautious 
Warner. Arnold came attended by a single servant, but 
bringing with him a Colonel's commission from the Commit- 
tee of Safety of Massachusetts, authorizujg him to raise a 
regiment of four hundred men. As soon as the two leaders 
met, Arnold pompously drew forth his commission and 
claimed the right to lead the expedition ; but Allen refused 
to yield the command. The dispute was at length referred 
to a committee of officers, by whom it was decided that Al- 
len should retain the command, while Arnold was to act as 
Jiis assistant. The main body now left Castleton to proceed 



88 

by land to a point opposite Ticonderoga. At the same time 
Captain Herrick was sent against Skenesborough, with thir- 
ty men, with orders to seize the small fort at that place, to 
take the vessels collected there and meet Allen and transport 
his party across the lake. 

The forts at Ticonderoga and Crown Point had been 
abandoned soon after the Conquest of Canada, and were 
now in a ruinous condition. Within the year a garrison had 
been sent there, at the request of the Governor of New 
York, to protect the public property, and to secure tliat section 
from the threatened encroachments of the New Hampshire 
Claimants. The garrison was, however, small and weak ; 
Crown Point being held by a Sergeant and twelve men, while 
a company of only torty-eight men, under command of Cap- 
tain de la Place, was stationed at Ticonderoga. 

Early on the evening of the 9th of May, AUen's party 
reached the shore of the lake opposite Ticonderoga. Herrick 
not having yet arrived from Skenesborough, it became nec- 
essary to procure a supply of boats in the neighborhood, in 
order to cross to the fort. This was a work of no small 
difficulty. Douglass, one of the party, was sent to Bridport 
for a scow. A large oar boat belonging to Major Skene, which 
Jay at anchor near by, was decoyed ashore and seized by 
James Wilcox and Joseph Tyler, while several smaller 
boats were procured from other quarters. 

As these boats were not sufficient to ferry the whole party 
at once, it was arranged that Allen and Arnold should first 
cross with eighty -three men, and that the boats should re- 
turn lor the rest of the party, who were to remain behind 
under command of Warner. The httle band, guided by 
Nathan Beman, a lad of fifteen years, was soo|i drawn up 
on the low ground below the fort, where an altercation again 
commenced between the two leaders ; each claiming the 
right to lead the advance. Again the subordinate officers in- 
terfered, and decided that they should go in together 
— Allen on the right hand, and Arnold on the left. As the 



89 

day began to break, it was deemed prudent to make the 
attack without waiting for the. arrival of Warner, who had 
not yet crossed the lake with his party. 

Allen now advanced to the front, and addressed his men, 
as follows ; "Friends and fellow SolcUers — ^You have, for a 
number of years past, been a scourge and terror to arbitrary 
power. Your valor has been famed abroad and acknowl- 
edged, as appears by the advice and orders to me, from the 
General Assembly of Connecticut, to surprise and take the 
garrison now before us. I now propose to advance before 
you and m person conduct you through the wicket gate ; for 
we must this morning either quit our pretensions to valor, or 
possess ourselves of this fortress in a few minutes ; and in- 
asmuch as it is a desperate attempt, which none but the 
bravest of men dare undertake, I do not urge it on any con- 
trary to his will. You that will undertake voluntarily, poise 
your firelodcsy "Each man," says Allen, "poised his firelock. 
I ordered them to face to the right, and, at the head of the cen- 
tre file, marched them immediately to the wicket gate."* 

When they approached, the sentinel snapped his gun, and 
immediately retreated through the covered way, closely fol- 
lowed by the assailants, who were thus guided within the 
fort. As the Patriots rushed into the parade ground, they 
formed in the centre, facing the barracks, and gave a loud 
cheer, while Allen ascended a flight of steps leading to the 
commandant's quarters, and, in a loud voice, ordered him to- 
appear or the whole garrison would be sacrificed. Captain 
la Place, who with the others had been aroused by the shouts 
of the assailants, hurried to the door, and enquired by what 
authority the demand was made. "I demand it in the name 
of the Great Jehovah, and the Continental Congress," wa^ 
the reply of Allen. La Place knew nothing of the Con- 
tinental Congress, which in fact had not yet been organized, 
but he saw Allen's sword over his head, and the gleaming 
bayonets of the men below, and wisely concluded to comply, 

"*Allen's NaiTative. 



90 

without being too inquisitive as to the nature of the power 
under which his opponent assumed to act. 

In this affair, the Patriots captured forty-eight men, one 
himdred and twenty pieces of tannon, several swivels and 
howitzers, together with a large number of small arms and 
ammunition of every description, and also a wareJiouse filled 
with materials for boat buikhng. Colonel Warner arrived, 
with the remainder of the party, just after the surrender of 
the fort, and was immediately sent, with one hundred men, 
to take possession of Crown Point ; but a strong head- wind 
drove his boats back, and he returned to Ticonderoga. The 
next morning a more successful attempt was made, and the 
fort at Crown Point was captured without bloodshed. War- 
ner was there met by Captain Remember Baker, who had 
left the small fort on the Winooski to join Allen's party, and 
who, on his way up the lake, had intercepted two boats, 
which had been sent from Crown Point to carry intelligence 
of the reduction of Ticonderoga to St. Johns and Montreal. 

It will be remembered that when the Patriots left Castle- 
ton Captain Herrick was sent, with thirty men, against 
Skenesborough. Herrick approached the place unobserved, 
and captured young Major Skene, twelve negroes and about 
fifty dependents or tenants, without firing a gun. He 
also took a large schooner and several small boats belonging 
to Skene, in which he embarked his men and prisoners, and, 
passing down the lake, joined Allen at Ticonderoga. The 
history of the surprise of Skenesborough is embellished by 
an account of a singular discovery made there by the Patri- 
ots. It is said that some of Herrick's men, while searching 
Skene's house, found the dead body of a female deposited 
in the cellar, where it had been preserved for many years. 
This was the body of Mrs. Skene, the deceased wife of the 
elder Skene who was then in Europe, and who was in the 
receipt of an annuity, which had been devised to his wife 
"while she remained above ground." Like a good Patriot, 
Herrick crippled the resources of the enemy, by burying the 
body in the garden at the rear of the house. 



91 

In order to accomplish their plans, and to obtain absolute 
control of the lake, it was now only necessary that Allen and 
Arnold should get poseession of an armed sloop, of about 
seventy tons, whicli lay at anchor in the Richelieu River, near 
the fort of St. Johns. i\fter consultation and a dispute be- 
tween the two officers, who were mutually jealous of each 
other, it was agreed that Arnold should fit out and arm the 
schooner which Herrick liad captured at Skenesborough, 
and sail for St. Johns, accompanied by Allen, who was to 
take command of several long-boats which lay at Crown 
Point. 

The schooner having been brought to Crown Point, Ar- 
nold embarked on the evening of the 14th of May, with fifty 
men under Captain?. Brown and Oswald, and on the 17th, 
arrived within thirty miles of St. Johns, where his vessel 
was becalmed. Leaving the schooner, he manned two small 
boats with thirty-live men, and started to row down the river. 
At six o'clock the next morning he arrived at St. Johns, and 
surprised a Sergeant and twelve men who garrisoned the 
fort. He also seized the sloop, in which he found seven men 
and two brass six pounders. From the prisoners be learned 
that the commanding officer of the fort was hourly expected 
to return from Montreal, with a large detachment of troops 
for Ticonderoga, and a number of guns and carriages for tlie 
sloop. A company of forty men was also momentarily ex- 
pected from Chambly. 

Arnold had at first intended to await the arrival of Allen, 
who had been left far behind by the schooner, while crossing the 
lake, but this information caused him to hasten his departure. 
Having destroyed three row-boats, he immediately set out on 
his return, taking with him the sloop, four boats loaded with 
stores and twenty prisoners. The party had proceeded 
about fifteen miles when they met Allen, with one hundred 
men, hastening down the river. Arnold informed Allen of 
the expected arrival of troops at St. Johns, and urged him 
to return. But this Allen refused to do, declaring that he 

13 



92 

should push on to St. Johns, and hold possession of it with 
the men under his command.* 

When Allen reached St. Johns, he found the English troops 
were within two miles of the fort. He therefore crossed to 
the opposite side of the river, where he encamped for the 
night. Early the next morning the Enghsh commenced a 
fire upon the party, w'ith six field pieces and two 
hundred small arms. Allen returned this fire for a short 
time, but finding he could make no resistance against the 
superior numbers opposed to him, he hastily re-embarked, 
leaving three of his men behind. f 

As soon as Arnold reached Crown Point, on his return, he 
fitted up the sloop with six cannon and ten swivels, fixed four 
guns and six swivels on the schooner, and prepared to resist 
any attack which might be made against that place from Can- 
ada. At the same time he wrote to the Committees of Safety 
of Massachusetts and New York, urging them to send for- 
w^ard a large body of men to rebuild the fort at Ticon- 
deroga. 

The fortunate issue of the movement against the British 
possessions on Lake Champlain was of the utmost impor- 
tance to the cause of the country, as it created a confidence 
among the people in the ultimate success of the struggle, and 
at the same time, placed the colonists in possession of the 
Key to Canada, effectually preventimg any sudden attack 
from that quarter. 

The feelings of the Canadians, in regard to the approach- 
ing struggle, were not known, nor could it yet be determined 
which side of the question they would take. Sir Guy Carle- 
ton, Governor of Canada, used every exertion to enlist 
them on the side of the Government, while the American 
Congress, on its part, endeavored to conciliate theii" friend- 
ship and induce them to make common cause with the colo- 
nists, or, at least, to stand neutral during the approaching 



♦Arnold to Committee of Safety of Massachusetts. 
fArnold to General Assembly of Massachusetts. 



93 

struggle. The efforts of Congress were so far successful an 
to secure their neutrality. 

Disappointed in not receiving the co-operation of the Ca- 
nadians, Gen. Carleton next attempted to rally the royalists, 
and for that purpose, organized a corps to which he gave the 
name of the "Lloyal Highland Emigrants." He also entered 
into negotiations with the Indians. Towards the last of July 
Colonel Guy Johnson, Superintendent of Indian affairs, 
arrived at Montreal, accompanied by a number of the 
Chiefs and warriors of the Six Nations. Here a solemn 
council was held, and the assembled Indians swore, in the 
presence of the Governor, to support the cause of the King 
against the Colonists. A great number, however, who had 
not attended the council, declared they would not intermed- 
dle in the dispute, nor would they consent to aid or oppose 
either party. 

The American Congress was informed of these attempts, 
on the part of General Carleton, to enUst the Canadians and 
Indians on the side of the King. It was also advised that the 
Canadians had refused to enter into the contest ; but there 
was no assurance that they would long preserve their neu- 
trality. Carleton had obtained great influence over this class, 
and might ultimately succeed in drawing them over to his 
side. To prevent this, and in the hopes that the hahitans 
might be persuaded to embrace the opportunity to attempt 
the vindication of their pohtical rights, Congress determined 
to fit out an expedition for the invasion of Canada. For this 
purpose of three thousand New York and New England 
troops were ordered to assemble at Crown Point and Ti- 
conderoga, under the command of Major General Schuyler 
and Brigadier General Montgomery ; w^hile an expedi- 
tion was organized to march against Quebec, by the way of 
the Kennebec River. 

A large number of flat bottomed boats were built at 
Skenesborough, Ticonderoga and Crown Point, for the trans- 
portation of the army across the lake, and Congress, by 



94 

great exertions, raised the sum of fifty thousand dollars, in 
specie, for the support of trie army while in Canada. The 
arrangements for the expedition were conducted by General 
Montgomery, while General Schuyler remained at Alban}^, 
to close negotiations for a treaty of peace with the I\[ohawk 
Indians, over whom he had great influence. 

General Carleton, in the mean time, was actively engaged 
in preparations to oppose the advance of the American 
army. He placed the works at St. Johns in good repair, 
and directed a large vessel to be constructed there, which 
he intended to station near the north or lower end of the 
lake. 

The American Generals deemed it importnnt, by an im- 
mediate movement, to prevent Carleton from getting posses- 
sion of the passage down the Richelieu River. Montgomery, 
therefore, on the 4th of September, embarked wliat men he 
had collected at Crown Point, and sailed for Canada, leav- 
ing orders for the rest to follow, as soon as they sliould arrive. 
Schuyler left Albany in great haste, and following rapidly, 
joined Montgomery near Isle la Motte. From that place 
the two Generals moved to Isle Aux Noix, where they issued 
an address to the Canadians, assuring them that the Arm}'- 
was not designed to act against their country, but was 
directed only against the British garrisons and troops ; and 
exhorting them to join the Americans in order to assert and 
defend their liberties. Copies of this address were distribu- 
ted by Colonel Allen and Major Brown, who were sent 
among the people of the adjacent country for that purpose. 

The Army, although not over one thousand strong, now 
•moved forward, and soon afterwards landed about one and a 
half miles above the Fort of St. Johns. At this point the 
ground was marshy and covered with thick woods, through 
which the men had to pass, in order to reach the fort. While 
advancing to reconnoitre the works, the left wing was attack- 
ed by a party of Indians, who killed three and wounded 
eight of the Americans. The Indians were, however, re- 



pulsed with some loss. Schuyler then advanced to within sight 
ot the fort, where he commenced a breastwork, but finding 
the fort strongly fortified and garrisoned, and learning that 
the armed sloop was preparing to sail from St. Johns towards 
his boats, which had been left with only a slight guard, he 
determined to retire to the Isle Aux Noix, and there await 
the arrival of the artiller}' and the rest of the troops, wht) 
were daily expected, Schuyler fortified Isle Aux Noix, and 
to prevent the passage of the sloop into the lake, con- 
structed a Chcvanx-Je-frise across the channel of the river, 
which is very narrow at this point. As soon as these arrange- 
ments were completed, he returned to Albany to conclude 
his treaty with the Indians, where he was attacked with a 
severe ilhiess which disabled him from duty. The conduct 
of the Canada expecHtion then devolved upon General Mont- 
gomery, who retained the sole command until he fell under 
the walls of Quebec. 

A small detachment of recruits, with a few pieces of 
artillery, having arrived at Isle Aux Noix, Montgomeiy de- 
termined again to push forward and undertake the seige (^f 
St. Johns. This fort was garrisoned by five or six hundred 
regulars and two hiuidred Canadians, under Major Preston, 
and was well supplied with stores, ammunition and artillery. 
The American Army, on the contrary, was undisciplined 
and disorderly, the artillery was too light, the mortars were 
defective, the ammunition scarce and the artillerists unprac- 
tised in their duties. Still these difficulties did not abate the 
ardor or zeal of the commanding officer. 

On the 18th of September, Montgomery led a party of 
five hundred men to the north of the fort, where he met a 
detachment from the garrison, with which he had a slight 
skirmish. Proceeding a little further north, he formed an 
intrenched camp at the junction of the roads leading from 
Montreal and Chambly, and then hastened back to bring up 
his artillery. A few days afterwards the camp was moved 
to higher ground, north-west of the fort, where a breast- 
work was thrown up. 



Altliough the Americans had now encompassed the fort, 
they could do but htde towards a regular seige for the want 
of ammunition and heavy guns to breach the works; but 
fortune soon openr-d a way through whicti to remedy this 
deficiency. A little below St. Johns, and upon the same 
rlvei', is Fort Chamblv, which then contained several pieces 
of cannon, one hundred and twenty-four barrels of gunpow- 
der and a large quantity of military stores and provisions. — 
The fort was garrisoned by six officers and eighty-three pri- 
vates. On the 18th of October, a strong detachment of 
Americans and Canadians — many of the latter having, by 
this time, joined the army — were placed under command 
of Majors Livingston and Brown, and ordered to attack the 
fort. The detachment passed down the river in boats dur- 
ing a dark night, and surprised the fort, which made but a 
feeble resistance. The stores and ammunition were sent to 
Montgomery, who, now supplied with the necessary muni- 
tions, pressed the seige of St. Johns with vigor. A strong 
battery of four guns and six mortars was erected within two 
liundred and fifty yards of the fort, and a block-house was 
built on the opposite side of the river, mounting one gun 
and two mortars. 

While Montgomery was thus employed at St. Johns, de- 
tachments of his army were scouring the country between 
the Richelieu and the St. Lawrence. One of these detach- 
ments, numbering about eighty men, under command of 
Colonel Ethan Allen, passed through all the parishes east 
of the Richeheu, as far as its mouth. From tliis point, Al- 
len moved up the east bank of the St. Lawrence to Longu- 
euil, where he crossed the river, and, on the morning of the 
2oth of September, appeared unexpected^ before the city 
of Montreal. He was there met by General Carieton, and, 
with his whole party, taken prisoner. A few days later, 
Carieton left Montreal with one thousand regulars, Cana- 
dians and Indians, for the purpose of raising the seige of 
Fort St. Johns. He embnrked upon the St. Lawrence and 



attempted to land at Loiigaeuil, but was driven b;ick I)y 
Colonel Seth Warner, who, with three hundred "Green 
Mountain Boj-s," l;iy secreted on the east bank of tlie river. 

When Montgomery heard of Colonel Warnei-'s success, 
lie sent a ilag to Major Preston informing him of Carlcton's 
repulse, and demanding the immediate surrender of the fort. 
Preston asked for a delay of four days, which was denied, 
and die demnnd renewed. The next morning (Nov. :3d,) 
the whole garrison surrendered as prisoners of war. Among 
the spoils found in the fort were seventeen pieces of brass 
ordnance, two h<nvltzers, seven mortars, twenty-two iron 
cannon and eight hundred stand of arms, with a quantity of 
shot and small slielis. The prisoners Vv^ere treated with 
great kindness, and were conveyed by the way of Ticonde- 
roga, into tlje interior of New England for safe keeping. 

Montgomery received grent praise lor the energy and per- 
severance v/ith which he had, for six weeks, urged the seige 
against obstacles of the most difficult and embarrassing char- 
acter. Not onl}' did he lack proper implements and muni- 
tions of war, but his army was composed of young and raw 
troops, unused to the privations of the field, or to military 
restraint. Indeed his camp at times resembled a great 
political assembly. Prompt and implicit obedience to orders 
was unknown. Each man claimed a right to canvass, de- 
bate and decide upon all the plans and movements of the 
campaign. This insubordination extended through all the 
grades of the armv^ The Colonels would dispute with the 
General, to be themselves opposed by their Captains ; and 
when these last were convinced, the whole subject must 
again be debated with the rank and file, who claimed an 
equal right of judging for themselves whether the propos- 
ed plan was expedient. It required the kind temper,, 
patriotic zeal and winning eloquence of Montgomery to 
restrain such turbulent and disaffected spirits from acts 
of open mudny. 

After the capitukition of Fort St. Johns, Montgomery 



9S 

marched ngainst Montreal, and entered that city on the 13th 
of November. He then moved down the St. Lawrence, 
and on the 1st of December arrived at Point Aux Trembles, 
about Lwentv miles above Quebec, where he found Colonel 
Benedict Arnold, who had crossed to the St. Lawrence, 
through the tliick forest and the almost impassible moun- 
tains of Maine." On the 5th, the united forces, even yet 
less in number than the British, arrived within ^'ight of the 
walls of Quebec, and at two o'clock on the mornuig of the 
31st, advanced to the assiiult of die city. 

Captains Brown and Livingston, with ninety-four men, 
were directed to lead a feint ngaiiist the upper tov/n, wfcile 
Montgomery was to advance by tlie way of Cape Diamond, 
and Arnold through St. Roche, to assault the lower town, on 
opposite sides. Tlie morning was cold and stormy ; the 
snow fell fast, and was piled in heavy drifts by a furious 
north-west wind. Cautiouslv Montgomery led his men in the 
dark from the plains of Abraham to Wolfe's Cove, and along 
the margin ot the river to a point under Cape Diamond, 
where the British had erected a strong stockade extending 
from the precipice to the brink of the river. On the approach 
of the Americans, the men posted behind the stockade 
retreated to a block-house, which stood a short distance to 
the north, and which was pierced with loop-holes for musket- 
ry and cannon. In the second story of the block-house were 
some cannon charged with grape and canister shot, and so 
pointed as to sweep the narrow cartway above. 

As the assailants advanced, and when they were within 
forty paces of the block-house, a single gun loaded with grape 
was discharged, which killed Montgomery, his two aids, 
Captains McPherson and Cheeseman, and every man in 
front except Captain Aaron Burr and a French guide. The 
brave and gallant Montgomery fell into Burr's arms and ex- 
pired. The rest of the party, appalled at the fearful havoc 
and the death of their General, retired in confusion. 

The attack upon trie opposite side of the town was equall}' 



99 

unsuccessful. The detachment passed through St. Roche 
towards a two gun battery, which was captured by Morgan's 
riflemen, after an hour's severe struggle. At the commence- 
ment of the attack Arnold received a severe wound in the 
leg, and was carried helpless from the field. Morgan con- 
tinued the fight, until one half of his men were killed, and 
the rest were benumbed and helpless from cold, when he sur- 
rendered. 

Montgomery was endeared to tlie army and to his countr}', 
by the possession of every noble virtue. With intrepid 
bravery he led his little band of half clothed and undisci- 
plined men under the walls of Quebec, and fell upon a soil 
already hallowed by the blood of a Wolfe and a Montcalm. 
His death was a great public calamity. America acknowl- 
edged his worth and paid public honors to his memory, 
while the eloquence of England's purest statesmen proclaimed 
his praise upon the floor of the British Parliament. "Hap- 
py would it have been for Arnold," exclaims a celebrated 
American,* "if instead of being wounded, he too had died, sine; 
by his subsequent treason at West Point, he blasted forever 
the glory of his gallant conduct on that occasion." 

After the death of Montgomery, the remains of the little 
army retired to a point about three miles up the river, where 
they remained during the winter. On the 1st of May, Gen- 
eral Thomas arrived and took command of the troops, which, 
by reinforcements from time to tinje, now numbered about 
nineteen hundred men. The army was soon afterwards 
increased to three thousand, but the small pox breaking out 
in the ranks, with great severity, not over nine hundred 
were fit for duty. General Thomas in a few days retired as 
i'sLT as tlie mouth of the Richelieu, where he was taken down 
with the small pox. He was removed to Chambly, and died 
there on the 2d of June. About the time of Thomas' 
death, General Sullivan arrived in Canada wdth a rein- 

*CoIonel Trumball. 

14 



100 

forcement of several battalions, and assumed the chief com- 
mand. 

Early in the spring of 1776, the British force in Canada 
was augmented by the arrival from England of thirteen 
thousand men, a large poition of whom were sent into camp 
at Three Rivers. Against this place an unsuccessful attack 
was made, in which General Thompson and two hundred 
men were taken prisoners. Other I'everses followed, until 
General Sullivan, finding his numbers greatly diminish- 
ed by sickness, desertion and death, determined to evacuate 
Canada. He therefore, on tiie 14th of June, abandoned his 
position at the mouth of the Richelieu and leisurely moved 
up its banks towards St. Johns. Arnold, who had been pro- 
moted to the rank of Brigadier General, and who then com- 
manded at Montreal, withdrew from that city on the l-5ih, 
and marching across the country, joined Sullivan's division 
at Chambly. 

The American General conducted the retreat in good 
order, and saved all the baggage, artillery and military 
stores, which were dragged up the rapids of the Richelieu 
in boats. The army reached St. Johns towards the last of 
June. The sick were immediately sent to Isle Aux Noix, 
Point An Fer and Isle La Motte, when the boats returned 
and took the remainder of the troops to Isle Aux Noix. — 
Here the men fit for duty remained for eight days, waiting 
for the boats to take the sick to Crown Point and to return. 
It is difhcult to conceive a degi-ee of misery greater than 
that suffered by the invalids during their voyage through the 
lake. The boats were leaky and without awnings, and the 
men, lying upon the bottom, were drenched with water, and, 
at the same time, exposed to the burning sun. Their only 
sustenance was raw and rancid pork and hard biscuit or 
unbailed flour. "The sight of so much misery, privation 
and distress," says Doctor Meyrick, "broke my heart, and I 
wept till I had no more power to weep." 

When the boats returned to Isle Aux Noix they were load- 



101 

ed with the baggage, while the men were sent by land to 
Point Au Fer, which had been fortififd by oixWr of General 
Sullivnn. At that place they found a supply of boats 
awaiting them, in which they embarked, and, on the 3d of 
Jidy, reached Crown Point. 

The broken fragments of "the army of Canada" present- 
ed one of the mo.-t distressing sights witnessed during the 
whole war. Of the five thousand two hunched men collec- 
ted at Crown Point, twenty-eight hundred were so sick as to 
require the attentions of the hospital, while those repoited 
as "ht for duty," were half naked, emaciated and entirely 
broken down in strength, spirits and discipline. Some few 
lay in tents, others in half built sheds, but by far the greater 
number occupied miserable bush huts, which afl(jrded a 
slight shelter from the burning sun, but were no protection 
against the damp and unhealthy night air. Among these 
tents and huts the men were scattered in indiscriminate 
confusion, without regard to comfort or health or to the dis- 
tinction of companies, regiments or corps. "I found the 
troops totally disorganized by the death or sickness of offi- 
cers," says Colonel Trumbull ; "and I can truly say, that I 
did not look into tent or hut in which I did not find either a 
dead or dying man." The troops remained about ten days 
at Crown Point, and when they left for Ticonderoga, over 
three hundred new made graves attested the frightful rav- 
ages that dea'h had made among their broken ranks.* 

*Botta's American Revolution — American Archives, Fifth Series — Trumbull's 
Reminiscences of his own Times — Thacher's Military Journal — Davis' Memoirs 
of A. Burr— Journal of the New York Provincial Congress — Allen's Narrative. 



CHAPTER VII. 

1776 — The Americans and British Build Armed Vessels on Lake Champlain — Ai- 
nold's Cruise on the Lake — Battle of Valcour Island — Defeat of the American 
Fleet near Split Rock — The British occupy Crown Point — Condition of the Amer- 
ican Army at Ticondcroga. 

The plan of the Campaign of 1776, as formed by the 
British Ministry, contemplated a separate movement against 
Ticonderoga and New York, and the conjunction of the two 
armies at Albany. General and Lord Howe were sent with 
a large military and naval force against New York, while the 
thirteen thousand troops collected in Canada were placed 
under the command of Sir Guy Carleton, who had under him 
Generals Burgoyne, PhilHps, Fraser, Nesbit and Reidesel ; 
all men of acknowledged skill and abiUty. Several vessels 
were built in England, and sent over to be used on Lake 
Champlain. 

During the summer of 1776, the English were busily en- 
gaged in preparing a fleet for the lake service. Seamen, 
ship carpenters and laborers were collected at St. Johns in 
numbers. The vessels built in England were taken to pieces, 
carried over the rapids of the Richelieu and reconstructed. 
Several other vessels were brought up from the St. Law- 
rence, and a gt eat number of transports were framed and 
launched at St. Johns. The fort at St. Johns was repaired 
and strengthened, and garrisoned with three thousand men ; 
an equal number was stationed at Isle Aux Noix. The rest 
of the troops were reserved to man the armed vessels and 
transports, and to form the army of invasion. Six Imndred 
and ninety-seven seamen were also drafted from the Isis 



3 03 

and the other ships of war lying at Quebec, and sent for- 
ward to Lake Champlain.* 

While the English were thus engaged, the Americans 
were actively employed, at the other extremity of the lake, 
in preparations to repel the threatened invasion. On the 
17th of June, Congress appointed Major General Gates to 
the command at Ticonderogn. and Crown Point. Gates 
fonnd those posts in a very reduced condition. The small 
pox was still prevalent among the troops, not a cannon was 
mounted, nor were any preparations made for defense. The 
first effi)rts of the Commander-in-Chief were directed to re- 
cruiting I he ranks, restoring the men to health, and providing 
them with clothing and necessary accommodations. Those 
sick of the small pox were sent to a general hrspital estab- 
lished at the head of Lake George. Reinforcements were 
earnestly solicited from the Eastern States, and requisitions 
made for ship carpenters to be employed at Skenesborough 
in buikling the hulls of galleys and boats. Crown Point was 
reduced to a mere post of observation, while the most active 
effi)rts were made to enlarge and strengthen the defenses at 
Ticonderoga. Mount Independence was carefully examined 
by Colonels Wayne and Trumbull, who reported that the 
ground was finely adapted for a military post. A portion of 
the troops were ordered to clear away the wood and to en- 
camp upon this eminence. The Pennsylvania regiments, 
the elite of the army, were posted at the "French lines," 
which they were ordered to repair ; and the old works were 
strengthened at all points. 

The small fort at Skenesborough was also repaired, and 
that place selected as the point of rendezvous for the ex- 
pected reinforcements. The lake above Ticonderoga soon 
presented a scene of busy activity, as boats were constantly 
passing and repassing, loaded with men, provisions and mu- 

*The number of seamen detached for his service, were as follows: From the Isis, 
100; Blood, 70; Triton, 60; Garland, 30; Canceaux, 40; Magdalen, Brunswick 
and Gasper, 18; Treasury and several armed Brigs, 80; Fell, oO; Charlotte 9- 
from Transports, 214; Volunteers, 9; besides 8 Officers and 10 Petty OfScerB. 



104 

nilions of war. By the moath of September an army of from 
eight to ten thousand men were assembled at Ticonderoga. 
Each reguiient had its cdarm post assigned, to which it was 
ordered to repair at day-light every morning, and every 
means was taken by the officers to bring the whole body to 
a state of high discipline.* 

The superintendence of the construction of the fleet was 
confided to General Arnold, who entered upon the work 
with his characteristic energy, but, in its progress, found 
himself surrounded l)y great and complicated difficulties, 
occasioned by the want or hmited supply of nearly all the 
materials necessary for boat building, or for a naval equip- 
ment. But these embarrassments only excited the men to 
greater exertions. By the middle of August, Arnold was 
prepared to take the lake with a naval force, carrying fifty- 
five guns and seventy-eight swivels and manned by three 
hundred and ninety-five men. His fleet consisted of the Sloop 
Eiitirprisc, Captain Dickson ; the Schooner Royal Savage, 
Captain Wynkoop ; Schooner Jlevc7igc, Captain Seaman; 
Schooner Liberty, Captain Premier ; and the Gondolas New 
HavL7i, Provide7ice, Boston, Spifjire and Philadelphia A 

With this force Arnold sailed from Crown Point on the 
20ih of August, and cruised between that place and the 
mouth of the Bouquet River, until the 2nd of September. 
On the evening of the 2nd he proceeded north as far as 
Schuyler Island, and, the next day, reached Windmill Point, 
eight miles below Isle La Motte. It was his first intention 
to have gone as far down as Isle Aux Tctes, but finding that 
island already occupied by the British, he anchored oflT Wind- 
mill Point, in a line from shore to shore, and sent his look- 
out-boats about one mile below, with orders to keep a sharp 
eye upon the the movements of the enemy. 



*Triitnbuirs Reminiscences of his own Times. 

tThe Enterprise had been captured by Arnold at St. Johns; the Liberty by Her- 
rick at Skenesborough. The other vessels were built at Skenesborough and then 
taken to Ticonderoga and Cvown Point, where thoy received their sails, military stores 
and (>qaipments. 



105 

On the morning of the 6th, several boats were sent on shore 
for fascines to fix on the bows and sides of the Gon- 
dolas, to prevent the enemy from boarding, and to protect 
the men from the fire of musketr\'. One of the boats reached 
the shore before the others, and was attacked by a parly 
of Indians, who occupied the adjoining woods. Before 
the men could row off" three of their number were killed 
and six wounded. Arnold immediately ordered his vessels 
to discharge their broadsides towards the woods, when the 
Indians precipitately retreated.* The same morning the 
fleet was reinforced by the arrival of the Galley Lee, of six 
guns, and the Gondola Connecticut, of three guns. 

'i'he noise of the firing on the morning of the 6th, was 
distinctly heard at Crown Point, fifty miles distant. Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Hartley, the commanding officer there, imme- 
diately wrote to General Gates, at Ticonderoga, that an en- 
gagement had undoubtedly taken place between Arnold and 
the enemy. Gates sent the letter, by express, to General 
Schuyler, then at Albany, who ordered out the Ulster and 
Dutchess Count}^ and a portion of the New England militia. 
This order was revoked on the I8th, when the true account 
of the affair reached Albany. t 

On the night of the 7th, the English sent strong parties up» 
the river, and commenced preparations to erect batteries on 
both sides of Arnold's position. This movement induced 
Arnold to retire as far back as the Isle La Motte, where he 
came to anchor about two o'clock on the afternoon of the 
6th. Here the fleet remained until the 19th, when it re- 
moved to Bay St. Amand, which lies on the west side of the 
lake, a few miles north of Cumberland Head. As the schoon- 
er Liberty was on her way to this anchorage, she was hailed 
by a Canadian, who came down to the water's edge and re- 
quested to be taken on board. Captain Premier sent a boat 
towards the shore, with orders to approach with caution 

♦Arnold to Major General Gates, Sept. 7, 17X6. 
tAmerJcan Archives, Fifth Series. 



106 

and to keep her swivels pointed and the matches ready to fire 
in case ever3^thing was not right. The man on shore waded 
about a rod into the water and stopped, entreating the boat's 
crew to come to him. Finding he could not decoy them into 
shallow water, he made a signal, when about three hundred 
Canadians and Indians, who were secreted in the woods 
near the shore, uncovered and fired into the boat, wounding 
three of the crew. The boat returned the fire with her 
swivels and small arms, and the schooner discharged several 
broadsides of grape, when the party retreated, having ap- 
parently suffered some loss.* 

While Arnold lay at Bay St. Amand he sent two boats 
to sound the channel between Valcour Island and the main 
shore, who reported that they found the anchorage there ex- 
ceedinclv fine and secure. To this harbor the fleet moved 
on the 23d of September. A few days afterwards the Galley 
Trumbull, Captain Warner, arrived, and on the Gth of 
October, Brigadier General Waterbury came up with the 
Galleys Washivgton, Captain Thacher, and Congress, Cap- 
tain Arnold. The entire naval force of the Americans was 
now collected at Valcour Island, with the exception of an 
eight gun galle}^ then receiving her armament at Ticonde- 
roga, and the Schooner Liberty, which had been sent to 
Crown Point for supplies. The fleet consivsted of the Sloop 
Enterprise, mounting ten guns and ten swivels ; the Schooner 
Royal Savage, twelve guns and ten swivels ; the Schoo- 
ner Revenge, eight guns and ten swivels ; the Galley 
Lee, six guns and ten swivels ; the Galleys Trumbull, 
Congress and Washington, each eight guns and sixteen 
swivels ; and the Gondolas New Haven, Providence, Boston, 
Spitfire, Philadelphia, Connecticut, Jersey and New York, 
each mounting three guns and eight swivels. There were 
therefore fifteen vessels in ah, mounting eighty-four guns and 
one hundred and fifty-two swivels. The number of men 
and sailors detached to serve on these vessels was eight 



♦Arnold to Gates, Sept. 21, 177G. 



S 



107 

Jmnclred and eleven, but of this number at leas^tonehundroc^ 
had not yet joined the fleet. Arnold diiily trnincd bis uicdi 
at the guns and used his best endeavors to reduce them to 
the proper discipline. He, however, complained frecpieutly 
of^ their inefficiency. "The drafts from the regiments at 
Ticondcroga," he writes General (^ales, "are a miserable set j 
indeed the men on Ixoard the fleet in general ave not eipial to 
half their number of good men." Again he say??, "we have a 
wretched molley crew in the fleet ; the marines, the reiusc 
of every regiment, and the seamen, few of them ever 
wet with salt water ; and we are upwards of one hun(h;ed 
men short of our complement." 

At this time the British naval force in the IMehelieu con- 
sisted of the Ship Inflexible, Lieutenant kSchank, of eighte^cn 
guns ; The Schooner Maria,. Lieutenant Starke, fourteen 
guns ; Schooner Carkt.o/i, Lieutenant Dacres, twelve guns ; 
Radeau Thunderer, Lieutenant Scott, twelve guns and two 
howitzers; the Gondola J/0?/a^ Convert, Lieutenant Longcrafty 
seven guns ; twenty gun-boats, mounting one gun each, and 
f(Hir long-boats, with one carriage gun each. There were 
also twenty-four long-boats loaded with the baggage and pro- 
visions.* The whole force was twenty-nine vessels, mount- 
ing eighty-nine guns, and manned by six hundred and ninety- 
seven picked seamen, besides a number of soldiers and artil- 
lerists. A small party of Lidians accompanied the fleet. 

The route taken by vessels passing up the lake from 
Canada, lies along and nearly parallel to the west shore of 
Grand Isle. Opposite Cumberland Head the lake is two 
miles wide, but, as soon as that point is passed, it increases 
in width to five miles, and does not again contract until you 
approach the mouth of the Bouquet. On the western side 
of the lake, about four miles south-west of Cumberland 
Head, and nearly two miles to the right of the track of ves- 
sels sailing directly up the lake, is the island of Valcour^ 



*Lcttcr of Captain Douglass of the Isis. The Inflexible, JMaria and Csrlctt)ny 
wore brought from England and reconstructed at St. Johns. 

15 



108 

which is separated irom the main shore by a channel about 
one half mile in width. This channel is deep enough for 
the largest vessels, and is hid from the view of boats sailing 
up the lake, until they have passed some distance south of 
the Island. Midway of this channel, and where it is most 
contracted, Arnold anchored his vessels in a line extending 
from shore to shore. "We are moored," he writes to Gen- 
eral Gates, "in a small bay on the west side of the Island, 
as near together as possible, and in such form that few ves- 
sels can attack us at the same time, and those will be expos- 
ed to the fire of the whole fleet." 

At eight o'clock on Friday morning, October 11th, the 
English were discovered passing Cumberland Head with a 
strong north or north-west wind, and bearing in the duec- 
tion of Crown Point, towards which it was supposed Arnold 
had retired. The fleet at this time was under the command 
of Capt. Thomas Pringle, of the Lord Howe, who made the 
schooner Maria his flag ship. General Carleton was also on 
board the Maria, but took no command of the fleet. As the 
English appeared in sight, off' Cumberland Head, General 
Waterbury went on board the Congress Galley, and urged that 
they should immediately set sail and fight the enemy on the 
retreat in the broad lake ; but Arnold declined, at that late 
hour, to change his plan of defense. 

Capt. Pringle was some distance ahead of Valcour 
when he first discovered the American vessels. He imme- 
diately changed his course towards the Island, with a view to 
engage, but found great difficulty in bringing any of his ves- 
sels into action. About eleven o'clock, however, the gun 
boats were enabled to sweep to windward and take a posi- 
tion to the south of the American fleet, when they opened 
a fire upon the Royal Savage, which, with the galleys, had 
advanced a short distance in front of the line. The British 
Schooner Carleton soon after came to the assistance of the 
gun-boats. The Royal Savage sustained the fire of the 
British vessels for some time, during which her mast was 



109 

crippled and much of her rigging shot away. She then at- 
tempted to return to the Hue, but, running too tar to the lee- 
ward, gi'ounded near the south-west point of the island, and 
was abandoned by her men, who succeeded in reaching the 
other boats in safety. At night the British boarded the 
schooner, and set fire to her.* 

At half past twelve o'clock the Carleton and the gun-boats 
had approached within musket shot of the American line, 
when the action became general, and continued without ces- 
sation until about five in the afternoon. During the engage- 
ment Arnold was on board the Congress, Waterbury on the 
Washinoton and .Colonel Wi^Giesworth on the Trumbull. 
The Congress and Washington suffered severely. The lat- 
ter was hulled in several places, her main-mast shot through, 
and her sails torn to pieces. Waterbury fought bravely on 
the quarter deck of his vessel, and towards the close of the 
action was the only active officer on board ; the Captain and 
Master being severely wounded, and the First Lieutenant 
killed. The Gondola New York lost all her officers except 
Captain Lee, and the Gondola Philadelphia, Captain Grant, 
was so badly injured that she sank about one hour after the 
engagement. Arnold fought the Congress hke a lion at bay, 
pointing almost every gun with his own hands, and cheering 
his men with voice and gesture. His vessel was hulled 
twelve times and received seven shot between wind and 
water; the main-mast was injured in two places, the rigging 
cut to pieces, and many of the men were killed and 
wounded. 

On the side of the English, the battle was sustained by the 
gun-boats and the Schooner Carleton, and by a party of Li- 
dians who were landed on the island and main shore, and 
kept up an incessant fire of musketry during the engage- 
ment. The English vessels suftered considerably. Oi. 
board the Caiieton eight men were killed and six wounded. 

^Arnold's account of the engagement. The hull of the schooner lies on the 
Siiot where she was sunk, and her upper timbers can yet be seen at low water in the 
lake. Arnold's papers were on board the schooner and were lost. 



110 

Two of the gun-boats were sunk, and one was blown up, 
with a number oi"men on board.* About five o'clock in the 
afternoon, Captain Pringle, who had made several unsuc- 
cessful attempts to hv'ing his larger vessels into action, called 
f)ff" those engaged, and anchored his whole fleet just out of 
reach of the Ameiican guns. The Thunderer lay at the 
right of the line, a little south of Garden Island, t the Schoon- 
er Maria on the left near the main shore, while the Loyal 
•Convert and the Inflexible occupied intermediate positions. 
The Carleton and gun-boats were anchored near and 
•among the other vessels. By this arrangement. Captain 
Pringle hoped to prevent the escape of the American fleet 
during the night. 

MAP OF BATTLE AT VALCOUR ISLAND. ~ 




Eeferences. — A, American Fleet drawn across the ChanneL — B, British Gun- 
Boats and Schooner Carleton. — C, Anchorage of British Vessels after the Battle, — 
D, Point where the Royal Savage was lost. — E, Cumberland Head. — F, Saranac 
River. — G, Grand Island. — H, Island of North Hero. 

♦Arnold states the loss sustained, by the blowing up of this gun-boat, at sixty. 
-. — Letter to General Schuyler, Oct. 15. 

[This is a small island about COO yards south of Valcour.. 



Ill 

Arnold was well satisfied that he could not successfully 
resist the superior force, with which the English were pre- 
pared to attack him on the following morning. His men had 
fought with the most daring bravery and resolution, but he 
had only succeeded in retaining his position, by the di- 
rection of the wind, which had prevented the larger vessels 
of the British fleet from joining in the action. Even under 
equally favorable circumstances, he could not resist a renew- 
ed attack, for his boats were already badly crippled, sixty 
of his men, including several officers, killed or wounded, 
•and nearly three-fourths of each vessel's ammunition spent. 
A Council of War was immediately called, vi^hen it was de- 
termined that the fleet should retire during the night towards 
Crown Point. 

At seven o'clock in the evening* Colonel Wiggleswordi 
got the Trumbull under \vay, and, bearing around the north 
end of Valcour, duected his course towards the upper end 
of the lake, passing outside of the British line. The Trum- 
bull was soon followed by the Enterprise and Lee, with the 
Gondolas ; and about ten o'clock, Waterbury started in the 
Washington Galley, Ibllowed closely by Arnold, in the 
Congress. In this order, with a light at the stern of each 
vessel, the fleet passed to Schuyler Island, about nine miles 
distant, where they arrived early the next morning. On 
examination Arnold found two of the Gondolas too badly in- 
jured to repair. These he sank near the island, and, having 
fitted up the other vessels as well as his limited time and 
means would permit, again set sail for Crown Point. 

While Arnold was repairing his vessels, the British fleet 
weighed anchor and commenced beating up the lake in pur- 
suit ; the wind blowing gently from the south. Early on the 
morning of the 1.3th, the American fleet was oft' the Bouquet, 
and the Enghsh lay a little above Schuyler Island. Arnold 

♦Arnold's account of the Battle. Mr. Cooper, in his Naval History, erroneously 
states that Arnold got under way at 2 o'clock, P. M. He also states that the Amer- 
ican fleet, on the morning of the 11th, "was lying off Cumberlant) Head," and in- 
. eludes in the fleet the Schooner Liberty, which was then at Crown Point. 



112 

now had the wind in the south, while a fresh north-east 
wind, blowing in the broader part ot the lake, favored 
the English Commander, who brought up his leading 
vessels soon alter the former had passed Split Rock. — 
On this occasion Cnptain Pringle led in person in the Maria, 
closely followed by the Inflexible and Carleton. The Maria 
and Inflexible at first attacked the Washington Galley, which 
was too much shattered to keep up with the rest. The Gal- 
ley struck after receiving a few shots. The two vessels 
then joined the Carleton, and, for several hours,* poured an 
incessant &re into the Congress Galley, which was briskly 
returned. Arnold kept up a running fight until he arrived 
within ten miles of Crown Point, when he ran the Congress 
and four Gondolas into a small creek in Panton, on the east 
side of the lake, and, having removed the small arms, burned 
the vessels to the water's edge. In this action the Con- 
gress lost her first Lieutenant and three men. 

As soon as the boats were consumed, Arnold led his party 
through the woods to Crown Point, where he arrived at four 
o'clock the ne'xt morning. The Sloop Enterprise, the Schoon- 
er Revenge and the Galley Trumljull, with one Gondola, 
had reached that place the day before, in safety. The Galley 
Lee, Captain Davis, was run into a bay on the east side of the 
lake above Split Rock, where she was blown up. The only 
vessels taken by the enemy were the Washington Galley and 
the Gondola Jersey. The loss of the Americans in both 
engagements was between eighty and ninety, including the 
w^ounded. The English stated their loss in killed and wound- 
ed at forty, but, according to the American accounts, it must 
have exceeded one hundred, as at least sixty men were on 
board the gun-boat which was blown up on the IJth. 

Immediately after the action of the ]3th, Sir Guy 
Carleton gave orders for his Surgeons to treat the 
wounded prisoners with the same care they did his 

*Captain Pringle says the action commenced at twelve and lasted two hours. — 
Arnold says it continued, "for about five glasses-" 



U3 

own men. He then directed all the other prisoners 
to be brought on board his ship, where he treated 
them to a drink of grog, praised the bravery of their con- 
duct, regretted that it had not been displayed in the service 
of their lawful sovereign, and offered to send them home to 
their friends, on their giving their parole that they would not 
again bear arms against Great Britain until they should be 
exchanged. On the 14th, Caj^ain, afterwards Sir James 
Craig, accompanied the prisoners to Ticonderoga, where he 
dismissed them on parole. The generous manner in which 
they had been treated, filled the prisoners with the highest 
emotions of gratitude, and they returned proclaiming the 
praise ot the British General. The feelings and sentiments 
expressed by these men were such, that it was not consider- 
ed safe to allov/ them to land, or to converse with the Amer- 
ican troops. They were therefore sent forward to Skenes- 
borough the same night.* 

The humanity of Governor Carleton's course was some- 
what tinctured with pohcy. He well knew the great dis- 
satisfaction which had prevailed among the American troops, 
and, with a profound sagacity, that distinguished his whole 
administration, took advantage of every opportunity to direct 
this feeling into a channel favorable to the British cause, and 
to impress upon the minds of the half clothed and desiitutc- 
troops, a high opinion of the generosity, kindness and lib-- 
erality of their opponents. 

Although the results of the two naval engagements of the 
11th and 13th, had been so disastrous, yet the Americans 
gained great credit for the obstinacy of their resistance. — 
Even the English acknowledged that no man ever manoevred 
with more dexterity, fought with more bravery or retreated 
with more firmness, than A.rnold did on both of these occasions. 
vSuch gallantry converted the disasters of defeat into a spe- 
cies of triumph. Several American officers, however, were 
found ready to censure Arnold, whom they called "our evil 

*Trumbull's Rcrainisccnccs of his own Times. 



114 

genius to the north,*" but General Gates, who understood 
perfectly all the details of the affair, always speaks of him. 
in the highest terms of praise. "It would have been hap- 
py for the Uuited States," he writes to Governor Trumbull, 
"had the gallant behavior and steady good conduct of that 
excellent officer been supported by a fleet in any way equal 
to the enemy's. As the case stands, though they boast a 
victory, they must respect the vanquished." 

On the 14th of October, the works at Crown Point were 
destroyed and the troops and military stores removed to 
Ticonderoga. As soon as the Americans left, Carleton landed 
his army, and occupied the shores on both sides of 
the lake. It had been his intention to march immediately 
against Ticonderoga, but, on the 15th, the wind commenced' 
l)lowing so hard trom the south that, for eight days, the Eng- 
lish vessels could not sail up the lake. This delay was of 
great importance tcr the Americans, as it aflbrded them 
time to receive reinforcements of militia, and to prepare for a 
vigorous defense. In that short interval they made carriages 
for, and mounted forty-seven pieces of cannon ; they also 
surrounded the works with a strong abattis. General Gates 
had about twelve thousand men under his command, all of 
whom were now full of activity and vigilance, and desirous 
of an opportunity to display their prowess before the 
enemy. 

General Carleton, finding he could not advance immedi- 
ately, proceeded to establish himself at Crown Point, and to 
repair the fort at that place. He also occupied Chimney 
Point with a portion of his army, and placed three of his 
largest vessels at anchor near Putnam's Point, a little below 
which the light Infantry, Grenadiers, and a body of Cana- 
dians and Indians were encamped* Reconnoitering parties 
filled the woods in every direction, and frequently penetra- 
ted as far south as Lake George, where one or two slight 
skirmishes occurred with strag gling parties of the militia, 

*Geiieral Maxwell to Governor Livingston, 



115 

who were passing from Fort George to Ticonderoga. Boats 
were also sent to sound the Channel of the lake above Crown 
Point. On one occasion, one of these boats approached with- 
in shot of the lower battery of Ticondercg;), when it was 
fired into, and two men killed and one wounded. 

On Monday the 27th of October, between eight and nine 
o'clock in the morning, the advance guard-boat, lying below 
Ticonderogn, made sigtud thiit the English fleet was ap- 
proaching, and about an hour afterwards, five of their largest 
transport boats appeared in sight of the fort, and landed a 
number of troops upon Three xMile Point. Soon afterwards, 
two armed boats stood over to the east side of the lake and 
appeared to be reconnoitering. As soon as they approached 
near enough, they were fired upon from the lower battery, and 
from a row-galley stationed in the river near by, when they 
retired. In the mean time other British troops were landed 
upon the point, and a body of men were sent across the lake 
into a small bay about four miles below the works. 

As these movements indicated an attack upon Ticondero- 
ga, General Gates ordered the lines and redoubts to be man- 
ned, and brought three regiments from Mt. Independence to 
reinforce those on the western side. "Nothing," says Gen- 
eral Gates, "could exceed the spirit and alertness which was 
shown by all the officers and soldiers in executing everv or- 
der that was given." The display made on this occasion 
convinced Carleton that Gates' means of defence were suffi- 
cient to resist an assault. At four o'clock in the afternoon, 
he withdrew his forces and returned to Crown Point, where 
he made immediate preparations to retire into winter quarters, 
in Canada. The rear-guard of the English army left Crown 
Point on the morning of the 3d of November, and the place 
was, the same day, occupied by a detachment sent for- 
ward from Ticonderoga. As soon as it was ascertained that 
the EngUsh had retired to Canada, Gates dismissed the Mili- 
tia and soon afterwards left with the greater part of the regular 
troops to join Washington, who was then in New Jersey. 

16 



CHAPTER VIII. 

1777 — 1783. — Burgoyne invades the United States— Evacuation of Ticonderoga by 
General St. Clair — Battle of Ilubbardton— Surprise and Indignation of the Peo- 
ple—Vindication of St. Clair and Schuyler— Lincoln's Expedition against Ti' 
conderoga — Surrender of Burgoyne — Retreat to Canada — Operations on Lake 
Champlain from 1778 to 1783. 

The British Ministry still adhered to the scheme of 
opening a communication between Canada and the City of 
New York, by way of Lake Champlain. This project had 
acquired new favor at the Enghsh Court from the represen- 
tations and sanguine promises of General Burgoyne, who had 
visited England in the winter of 177G — 7, and urged upon 
the government its importance, and the certainty of its suc- 
cess. Dissatisfied, without just cause, with the proceedings 
of Governor Carleton, the ministry formed their arrange- 
ments for the new campaign, without his counsel or advice, 
and assigned to General Burgoyne the command of the 
army in Canada, and the direction of all its operations. 

The regular force allotted to Burgoyne numbered seven 
thousand one hundred and thu-teen men, among whom were 
three thousand two hundred and seventeen Brunswick troops, 
commonly known as Hessians. A large and complete train 
of brass artillery was sent to Canada, together with a full 
supply of arms, ammunition and rniUtary accoutrements of 
every description. Major General Philhps and Brigadier 
Generals Eraser, Powell and Hamilton served under Bur- 
goyne. The Brunswick troops were commanded by Major 
General Reidesel and Brigadier General Specht. 

Burgoyne arrived at Quebec in the month of May, 1777, 



117 

and immediately commenced preparations for the prosecu- 
tion of the campaign. Two thousand Canadians were em- 
ployed upon the fortifications at Sorel, Chanjbly, St. Johns 
and Isle Aux Noix, and boats were constructed in great 
numbers, on the Richelieu, for the conveyance of the troops 
and supplies through the lake. 

To favor the operations of the army. Col. St. Leger was 
sent against the American posts on the Mohawk River, with 
a force of about eight hundred men, and a large body of In- 
dians under Sir John Johnson. St. Leger was to proceed by 
the way of Oswego, and, having reduced the posts on that 
route, was to rejoin the main army at Albany. 

Early in the month of June, the army left St. Johns, in 
boats, and after several delays occasioned by contrary winds, 
reached Cumberland Head, where it halted to await the 
arrival of the ammunition and stores. The naval part of 
the expedition was under the command of Captain Lutwidge, 
and consisted of the armed vessels built during the preced- 
ing year. Seven hundred carts were brought on with the 
army, to be used in transporting baggage and provisions 
across the portages between the lakes and the Hudson River, 
and fifteen hundred Canadian horses were sent by land up 
the west side of the lake, under a strong escort. 

As soon as the supplies arrived, Burgoyne left Cumber- 
land Head and advanced as far as the Bouquet River, where 
he again halted. He was there joined by four hundred Iro- 
quois, Algonquin, Abenaquis and Ottawa Indians, to whom 
he gave a war-feast on the 21st of June, at their encamp- 
ment near the falls of the Bouquet. On this occasion he made 
a speech to the assembled Indians, in which he humanely 
endeavored to soften their ferocit}^ and restrain their thirst 
for blood. He spoke of the abused clemency of the King 
towards the colonies, and explained to them that the present 
war was carried on against a country, where the faithful were 
intermixed with rebels and traitors with friends. He releas- 
ed them from restraint^ but cautioned them not to violate the 



US 

rules of civilized warfare or disregard the dictates of reli- 
gion and humanity. "Be it our task," he said, "from the 
dictates of our rehgion, the laws of our warfare, and the 
principles and interest of our polic}^ to regulate your passions 
when you overbear, to point out where it is nobler to spare 
than to revenge, to discriminate degrees of guilt, to suspend 
the uplifted stroke, to chastise, and not destroy." He then 
called their attention to the rules which the}' sliould observe 
during the campaign. " I positively forbid bloodshed 
where you are not opposed inarms. Aged men and wo- 
men, children, and prisoners must be held sacred from the 
knife or hatchet, even in the time of actual conflict. You 
shall receive compensation for the prisoners you take, but 
you shall be called to account for scalps." The Indians 
pledged obedience to his orders, and Burgoyne had the cre- 
dulity to believe them. Little did he understand the unap- 
peasable appetile lor blood, of those by whom these fine 
promises were made. 

While the English were slowly approaching Ticonderoga, 
the Americans were busily engaged in strengthening its de- 
fenses. The northern department, including Albany, Ticon- 
deroga, Fort Stanwix and their dependencies, was now 
under the charge of Major General Scuyler, while the imme- 
diate command of the works on Lake Champlain was confi- 
ded to Major General St. Clair, an officer of great military 
experience and reputation. Both generals were advised of 
the plans of the British government tor the present campaign, 
and used every exertion to prevent its success. The old 
French lines, to the west of the fort, had been repaired and 
were guarded by a strong block-house ; an outpost was 
established at the saw-mills, on the falls of the oudet, and 
another just above that point, and a block-house and hos- 
pital were erected at the foot of Lake George. Redoubts 
and batteries were established upon the low lands, below 
the fort, and the extreme left was protected by a small fort 
on Mount Hope, an eminence about half a mile in advance 
of the old French lines. 



119 

A star-fort, in the centre of which was a convenient square 
of barracks, had be^n buik on the summit of Mount Inde- 
pendence, which was well supplied with artillery, strongly 
picketed, and its approaches guarded with batteries. The 
foot of the hill, towards the lake, was protected by a breast- 
work which had been strengihened by an abattis and a strong 
battery standing on the shore of the lake near the mouth of 
East Creek. A floating bridge connected the works of 
Mount Independence and Ticouderoga, and served as an 
obstruction to the passage of vessels up the lake. This 
bridge was supported on twenty-two sunken piers, formed 
of very large tunber ; the spaces between tlje piers were 
filled with floats, each about fifty feet long and twelve ieet 
wide, strongly fastened together with iron chains and rivets. 
A boom made of large pieces of timber, well secured together 
by riveted bolts, was placed on the north side of the bridge, 
and by the side ot this was a double iron chain, the links of 
which were one and a half inches square. 

Opposite Mount Independence is the lofty eminence ol' 
Mount Defiance, which rises abruptly from the water to the 
heiglit of about seven hundred and fifty ieet, and is separated 
from Ticonderoga by the mouth of the outlet of Lake George, 
The American works formed an extensive crescent, of which 
this eminence was the centre. The entire line required at 
least ten thousand men, and one hundred pieces of artillery, 
for its defence. At the time of Burgoyne's approach, St. 
Clair's whole force did not exceed two thousand five hundred 
and fifty-six continental troops and nine hundred mihtia •; 
the latter badly equipped, worse armed, and most of them 
raw and undisciplined. They, however, were zealous and 
determined, and were ready to oppose any force that might 
be brought against them. 

The works about Ticonderoga were, by many, considered 
impregnable ; but in fact they were weak and untenable, 
for every position, whether at the old French lines, at the 
fort or on Mount Independence, was commanded by the 



120 

summit of Mount Defiance, which Iiad hitherto been neglect- 
ed by the engineers of all parlies. In 1776, Colonel John 
Trumbull, Adjutant General under Gates, made several ex- 
periments which proved the controlling position of the emi- 
inence, and he afterwards, in company with General Arnold, 
Colonel Wayne and others, ascended its rocky sides. " The 
ascent" says Trumbull, " was difficult and laborious, but 
not impracticable, and when we i(X)ked down upon the out- 
let of Lake George, it was obvious to all that there could 
be no difficulty in driving up a loaded carriage." 

While Ticonderoga was thus poorly garrisoned and its 
defenses exposed, Burgoyne was moving against it at the 
head of a well disciplined army, numbering seven thousand 
nine hundred men. On the 30th of June, the whole force 
reached Crown Point, where the English General halted to 
issue a proclamation, by which he expected to intimidate 
the Patriots and to strengthen the hopes of the disaffected. 
In this paper he extolled the strength and number of the 
British forces, and portrayed, in vivid language, the horrors 
which would result from an opposition to their arms. He of- 
fered encouragement and employment to those who should 
assist the King in redeeming the colonies, and restoring to 
them "the blessings of British liberty," while against those 
who should disregard his offers of mercy and forgiveness, he 
threatened the merciless vengeance of the whole Indian force 
under his command. Of the Patriots, he says, "The mes- 
sengers of justice and of wrath await them in the field ; and 
devastation and famine and every concomitant horror, that a 
reluctant but indispensible prosecution of military duty must 
occasion, will bar the way to their return." These thunder- 
ing anathemas were received, in every quarter, with derision 
and ridicule. Their only effect was to call forth a reply, 
written by a young officer, which created much amusement 
in' the ranks of the American army, by its admirable imita- 
tion of the pompous style of the proclamation. 

Burgoyne's army moved from Crown Point on the 1st of 



121 

July, in three divisimis; tlie Germans under Reldesel, taking 
position on the east shore of the lake, at Richardson's oppo- 
site Putnam Creek ; the right wing under Fraser, advanced 
as far as Three Mile Creek, and the centre, commanded by 
Burgoyne in person, moved up the lake in transports, ac- 
companied by the ships Royal George and Inflexible, and 
anchored in a position just out of reach of the American 
guns. The following day, a party of Indians approached 
the outposts at lake George, and were soon followed by a 
large detachment under Major General PhiUips. On the 
approach of this column, the Americans evacuated and 
burned the block-houses, and, abandoning the saw-mills, re- 
tired within the lines. In the course of the night. General 
Phillips took possession of Mount Hope, which, the next 
morning, was occupied in force by Eraser's corps, consisting 
of the First British Brigade and two Brigades of Artillery. 
Phillips now held the ground west of Mount Hope, and 
Fraser's camp, at Three Mile Creek, was occupied by a 
body of men drawn from the opposite side of the lake. The 
column under Reidesel, was pushed forward as far as East 
Creek, from which it could easily stretch behind Mount In- 
dependence. 

During all these movements, the American troops kept up' 
a warm fire against Mount Hope, and against Reidesel's 
column, but without effect. On the 4th, the British were 
employed in bringing up their artillery, tents, baggage and 
provisions, while the Americans, at intervals, continued the" 
cannonade. The same evening the Radeau Thunderer ariiv-- 
ed from Crown Point, with the battering train. 

The British line now encircled the American works on the 
north, east and west. The possession of Mount Defiance 
would complete the investment, and effectually control the 
water communication in the direction of Skenesborough.^ 
Burgoyne's attention had, from the first, been attracted to- 
wards this eminence, and he had directed Lieutenant Twiss^ 
his Chief Engineer, to ascertain whether its summit was ac' 



12'J 

cessible. On th 4th, Lieutenant Twis^ reported that MounS 
Defiance held the entire command of Ticonderogn and 
Mt. Independence, at the distance of about fourteen hundred 
yards from the former, and fifteen hundred yards fi'om the 
latter, and that a practicable road could be made to the 
summit in twenty-four hours. On receiving tiiis report, Bur- 
goyne ordered the road opened and a battery constructed 
for light twenty-four pounders, medium twelves and eight 
inch howitzers. This arduous task was pushed with such 
activity, that, during the succeeding night, the road was com- 
pleted, and eight pieces of cannon were dragged to the top 
of the hill. 

On the morning of the 5th, the summit of Mount Defiance 
glowed with scarlet uniforms, and the guns of its batteries 
stood threateningly over the American forts. "It is with as- 
tonishment," says Doctor Thacher, in his Military Journal, 
*' that we find the enemy have taken possession of an emi- 
nence called Sugar-Loaf Hill or Mount Defiance, which, 
from its height and proximit}^ completely overlooks and com- 
mands all our WT)rks. The situation of our garrison is view- 
ed as critical and alarming ; a few days will decide our 
fate. We have reason to apprehend the most fatal effects 
from their battery on Sugar-Loaf Hill." General St. Clair 
immediately called a Council of War, by whom it was deci- 
ded to evacuate the works, before Reidesel should block up 
the narrow passage south of East Creek, which, with the 
lake to Skenesborough, presented the only possible way of 
escape. 

The decision of the council was concealed from the troops 
until the evenmg order was given. About twelve o'clock 
at night, directions were issued to place the sick and wounded 
and the women on board two hundred long-boats, which had 
been collected for this purpose. The boats were then load- 
ed deep with cannon, tents and provisions, and, at three 
o'clock in the morning, started for Skenesborough, accom- 
panied by five armed Galleys and a guard of six hundred 



123 

men, under command of Colonel Long of the New Hampshire 
troops. The boats reached Skcnesboroughabout three o'clock 
on the afternoon of the same day, where the fugitives landed 
to enjov, as they fancied, a temporary repose, but in less 
than two hours, they were stnriled by the reports of the can- 
non of the British gun-boats, which were filing at the Gal- 
leys IvinG: at the wharf. By uncommon effort and industry, 
Burgoyne had broken through llie chain, boom and bridge 
at Ticonderoga, and had fallowed in pursuit with the Royal 
George and Inflexible, and a detachment of the gun-boats 
under Captain Carter. The pursuit had been pressed with 
such vigor that, at the very moment when the Americans 
were landing at Skenesborough, three regiments disem- 
barked at the head of South Bay, with the intention of 
occupying the road to Fort Edwaixl. Had Burgoyne de- 
layed the attack upon the Galleys until these regiments had 
reached tlie Fort Edward road, the whole party at Skenes- 
borough would have been taken prisoners. Alarmed, however, 
by the approach of the gun-boats, the latter blew up three of 
the Galleys, set fire to the fort, mill and store-house and 
retired in great confusion towards Fort Ann. Occasionally 
the overburdened part}^ would falter on their retreat, when the 
starthng cry of " march on, the Indians are at our heels," 
would revive their drooping energies and give new strength 
to their weakened hmbs. At five o'clock in the morning 
they reached Fort Ann, where they were joined by many of 
the invalids, who had been carried up Wood Creek in boats. 
A number of the sick, with the cannon, provisions and most 
of the baggage were left behind at Skenesborough. 

On the 7th, a small reinforcement sent from Fort Edward, 
by Schuyler, arrived at Fort Ann. About the same time, a 
detachment of British troops approached within sight of the 
fort. This detachment was attacked from the fort, and re- 
pulsed with scjme loss ; a Surgeon, a wounded Captain and 
twelve privates were taken prisoners by the Americans. — 
The next day Fort Ann was burned, and the garrison retreat- 

17 



124 

ed to Fort Edward, which was then occupied by General 
Schuyler. 

As soon as Colonel Long had started for Skenesborough, 
St. Chiir with the main nrmy, retired by land, towards 
Castlelon. The garrison of Ticonderoga crossed the bridge, 
about three o'clock in the morning, and, at four o'clock, the 
rear guard, under Colonel Francis, left Mount Independence. 
Up to this time a continued cannonade from one of the bat- 
teries was kept up, in the direction of Mount Hope, in order 
to allay any suspicions of the movement, on the part of the 
enemy. The whole army would have departed unobserved, 
had not General Dc Fermoy, who commanded on Mount In- 
dependence, foolishly and regardless of express orders, set 
fire to the house he had occupied. Tlie light of this confla- 
gration revealed the whole scene to the British, and, at the 
same time, threw the Americans into great disorder ; many of 
them now pushmg tbrward without any regard to discipline 
or regularity. At Hubbardton the stragglers were coUected, 
and the ranks again organized. After a halt of two hours at 
this place, the main army proceeded toward Castleton, leav- 
ing Colonels Francis, Warner and Hale behind with a 
rear-guard of about thirteen hundred men. 

As soon as the retreat frotn Ticonderoga was discovered 
by the British, General Fraser started in pursuit with his 
Brigade, and was soon f illowed by Reidesel. The British 
troops continued the pursuit during the day, and, at night, 
lay on their arms near the position occupied by the American 
rear-guard, at Hubbardton. Early on the following morn- 
ing, Fraser, with eight hundred men, advanced to the attack, 
without waiting for the arrival of Reidesel, who was ap- 
proaching with his column. On the appearance of Eraser's 
corps. Colonel Hale, fled with his regiment, towards Castle- 
ton, leaving Colonels Francis and Warner, with seven hun- 
dred men, to resist the attack. 

The battle between the two parties was severe and bloody, 
and at one time the British Grenadiers recoiled before the 



125 

galling fire of Francis' and Warner's men, but Reidesel 
coming up at that moment, the Grenadiers rallied, and, sus- 
tained by the whole British line, returned to die charge with 
fixed bayonets. The American troops now broke and fled 
in every direction. In this action the Americans lost three 
hundred and twenty-tiiur men, in killed, wounded and pris- 
oners. Among the killed w^as the gallant Colonel Francis, 
who fell at the head of his regiment. On the part of the 
English, the loss was one hundred and eighty-three, inclu- 
ding Major Pratt and about twenty inferior officers. Hale, 
who retired so precipitately in the morning, was intercepted 
on the road to Castleton, and surrendered without firing a 
shot. St. Clair, as soon as he had been joined by tlie rem- 
nant of Warner's men, retreated to Fort Edward, where he 
arrived on the 12tli of July. 

The loss to the Americans, by the evacuation of Ticonder- 
oga, was very great; no less than one hundred and twenty- 
eight pieces of cannon, together with all the boats, pro- 
visions, stores and magazines were either destroyed or fell 
into the hands of the British. Among the trophies of the 
day was the Continental Standard, which the Americans 
had neglected to lake with them on their retreat. 

The evacuation of Ticonderoga and Mount Independence 
was condemned throughout the country. The people 
were surprised and alarmed. They were not prepared 
for so disastrous an event, for it was generally believed that 
the works on Lake Champlain were in a condition to resist 
any attack of the enemy. Both Schuyler and St. Clair were 
severely and unjustly censured ; the former for not sending 
on reinforcements, when he had none to send, and the latter 
for omitting to fortify Mount Hope and Mount Defiance, 
when his whole force was insufficient to man the defenses of 
the forts themselves. That a great error was committed, in 
relying too much upon the supposed strength of the positions 
at Ticonderoga, cannot be denied ; but there were no just 
grounds for attaching blame to either of the officers in con>- 
mand. 



126 

The attention of the Goverment had been directed to the 
exposed situation ot this post, and St. Chiir had repeatedly 
c;i]led for more troops for its defense. As Lite as the 2oih of 
June, he addressed a letter to General Schuyler, in which he 
vividly portrayed his want of men, and his fears that he 
might not be able to resist Burgoyne, who was known to be 
approaching with a large force. In that letter, he s;iys : "I 
cannot help repeating to you the disagreeable situation we are 
in, nor can I see the least prospect of our being able to de- 
fend the post, unless the mihtia come in ; and should the 
enemy protract their operations, or invest us and content 
themselves with a single blockade, we are infalhbly ruined." 

On the 28rn of June, General Schuyler writes to General 
Washino;ton, at the s.ime time enclosing St. Clair's It-tter of 
the 25th, and says, " Should an accident happen to the gar- 
rison of Ticonderoga, and General Buogoyne makes a push 
to gain the south part of the lake, I know of no obstacle to 
prevent him : comparativel}^ speaking, I have not a man to 
oppose him ; the whole number at the different pists at and 
on this side of the lake, including the garrisons of Fort 
George and Skenesborough, not exceeding seven hundred 
men, and these I cannot draw away from their several sta- 
tions, in every one of which they are already too weak." 

These letters show the real state of the frontier at the 
time. Burgo3aie was approaching with an army of over sev- 
en thousand veterans, besides Canadians and Indians, while 
St. Clair had three thousand four hundred men to defend a 
circle of works which could not be properly manned with 
less than ten thousand, and Schuyler had not troops ^ 
enough with him to defend the posts in the rear. It 
has been said that, considering his want of men, St. Clair 
should have evacuated the works before the approach of the 
British army. Such a course would have received as great 
censure as did the retreat. It would have been considered 
inexcusable. Besides the question, whether all or even a 
part of these works should be abandoned, had already been 



127 

presented to the consideration of the Provincial Congress of 
New York, and lh:it bod}-, on the Gih of May preceding, had 
passed a resokition declaiingibat, in iheir opinion, the aban- 
doning of any part of the works of Ticonderoga, would be 
prockictive of great evils. A copy of this resolution 
was at the time forwarded to General Gates, who re- 
plied that he saw no reason fir abandoning anv part 
of the post at Ticonderoga, and that he Ijad good ground to 
hope there woukl never be any necessity of evacuating or 
surrendering any portion of tlu' position, if the body of the 
eastern troops arrived in any reasonable time. 

When Burgoyne placed his batteries upon the summit of 
Mount Defiance, he effectually destroyed all hopes of resis- 
tance, on the part of the Americans. The only alternative 
was to surrender or evacuate the works. By adoptino' the 
latter course, St. Ckur saved the greater portion of his 
garrison, and preserved the nucleus of an army, which ulti- 
mately baffled Burgoyne, and compelled him to surrender. 
At the moment, however, all classes of people were astonisli- 
ed at the unexpected result. It is " an event of chagrin and 
surprise," says Washington, " not appre-hended nor with- 
in the compass of my reasoning." The Council of Safety 
of New York stigmatized it as a measure " highly reprelien- 
sible," and " probably criminal." Among the people, the 
most violent charges were made against both St. Clair and 
Schuyler. It was even asserted they had both been bribed 
by Burgoyne, who, it was said, had fired silver builds into the 
fort, which were gathered by order of St. Clair, and divided 
between him and Schuyler. 

This report woukl seem too ridiculous to gain credit with 
any one, and yet we have the authority of Wilkinson, who 
was Adjutant General to Gates, that respectable men ques- 
tioned him, with much gravity, as to kstrutli.* Time soften- 
ed the disappointment of the people, and when the true con- 

*See also Doctor Thacher's Military Journal, where he gravely denies the truth 
of the absurd report. 



128 

dition of the case was known, both officers were fully rein- 
stated in the confidence of the nation. 

When St. Clair joined Schuyler at Fort Edward, their 
whole force, including recent arrivals, did not exceed four 
thousand four hunch-ed men, who were immediately em- 
ployed in obstructing the roads leading to Lake Champlain, 
and in placing impediments to the navigation of Wood Creek. 
So thoroughly was this work accomplished that, when Bur- 
goyne afterwards led his army on this route, he was often un- 
able to advance more than one mile in twenty-ll)ur hours. — 
Schuyler remained at Fort Edward until the latter part of the 
month of July, when he fell back as far as Saratoga, and 
subsequently retired to Stillwater. WWile at Fort Edward, 
he removed the provisions, stores, boats and arms from Fort 
George, and, on the 17th of July, destroyed the fort itself 

We left Burgoyne at Skenesborough and Eraser and Reid- 
esel at Hubbardton, on the 7th of July. After the retreat 
of St. Clair towards Fort Edward, these two columns occu- 
pied the ground between Castlelon and Skenesborough ; the 
English right wing occupying the heights at Skenesborougli, 
in two lines, the right flank to tiie mountain and the left to 
Wood Crcf k ; the German troops were stationed at Castle- 
ton, with detachments on the roads leading to Rutland and 
Poultney ; the centre was occupied by Eraser's corps. — 
A third column of the English army, under General Phillips, 
was engaged in getting the gun-boats, transports and provis- 
ions, over the falls of the outlet, into Lake George. This 
was accomplished alter great labor and fatigue. Phillips 
then advanced as far as Fort George, vv-here he estabUshed a 
depot and erected magazines ibrthe army. 

While Burgoyne was at Skenesborough, he issued a pro- 
clamation addressed to the inhabitants on the New Hamp- 
shire Grants, in which he directed them, under pain of mil- 
itary execution, to send deputations, consisting of ten per- 
sons c- more from each township, to meet Colonel Skene at 
Caslleton, "who," adds the proclamation, "will have instruc- 



129 

tions not only to give further encouragement to those who 
complied with the terms ot" my late mEmifesto, but, also to 
communicate conditions upon which tlie persons and proper- 
ty of the disobedient may yet be spared." As soon as 
General Schuyler saw this proclamation, he issued an order 
that ever}' person, who had taken or might take a protec- 
tion from Bjrgoyne, should be secured and sent to jail ; 
at the same time lie gave notice, by a counter proclamation, 
that all who should join with, or in any manner assist or 
hold correspondence with the English, should be considered 
and dealt with as traitors. 

Burgoyne had placed great reliance upon the discontent of 
the inhabitants on tlie New Hampshire Grants, and suppos- 
ed that large numbers, if not the whole population, would 
join his army. But in this he was destined to be most sorely 
disappointed, for, not over four hundred royalists or dis- 
affected joined him, and at least half of these he represented 
as " trimmers, merely actuated by interest," in whom he 
could place no dependence. He also declared, in a letter to 
Lord George Germain, that the New Hampshire Grants 
abounded in the most active and most rebellious race on the 
continent, who hung like a gathering storm upon his left. — 
This opinion had not been formed without good reasons, as 
we shall now see. 

When the column under General Phillips moved up 
Lake George, the posts at Ticonderr»ga and Mount Inde- 
pendence were left with a guard of nine hundred and ten 
men, composed of the 53d British regiment, four hundred 
and sixty-two strong, and a German regiment, numbering 
four hundred and forty-eight men, rank and file. About the 
time that Burgoyne had collected his troopc: at Fort Edward, 
General Lincoln, who commanded a strong detachment of 
mihtia, stationed at Manchester, Vt., determined to make a 
diversion in the rear of the British line, in the hopes of re- 
covering the Fort of Ticonderoga, and thus cutting off Bur- 
goyne's communication with Canada. 



130 

General Lincoln ordered Colonel Warner, with a detach- 
ment of the M;issachusetls militia, to move in the direction 
of Mount Independence, in order to make a diversion, and 
an attack in that quarter, il' the occasion should favor one. 
Another detachment was sent, under Colonel Woodbriilge, 
against tSkenesborough and Fort Ann, while Colonel Brown, 
with Herrick's regiment of Rangers, and some Militia and 
Volunteers, was to cross the lake at the narrows, pass 
through the woods and take the outposts of Ticonderoga, 
and the works at the landing of Lake George. These pla- 
ces were to be attacked at the same time. Captain Ebene- 
zer Allen, with l;is rangers, was to leave Brown and Herrick 
at a certain point and take Mount Defiance, anti then rejoin 
them to attack Ticonderoga, in conjunction with General War- 
ner. The plan thus arranged, they set out from Pawlet for 
their different places of destination. Brown had to cross 
the lake in the night and to pass, for fourteen miles, over 
rugged mountains, which he accomplished, reaching the 
head of Lake George the day before the attack. Before it 
became dark, sentinels were placed at different points on Mt. 
Defiance and in the direction of the other British posts, with 
directions, from time to time, to give " tlnre hoots oj an oid,''^ 
as a signal, to guide the main party on their way, through 
the darkness of night. Colonel Brown took possession of 
Mount Hope and of a block house near the old French 
lines. He also seized two hu'.dred long-boats, an armed 
sloop, and several gun-boats, stationed to defend the carry- 
ing-place, and captured two hundred and ninety-three sol- 
diers, at the same time releasing one hundred American 
prisoners. 

But the most difficult task was the capture of the British 
works on the summit of Mount Di fiance ; which could be 
reached only by a cut way well defended and guarded. — 
Captain Allen and his men had, after great difficulty and 
labor, nearly reached the top of the mountain, when they 
found a cliff" they could not climb in the ordinary way. Al- 



131 

len, therefore ordered one of his men to sioDp, and stepping 
on his back, clambered to the top, whi(;h was onlv large 
enough to hold eight men without their being discovered bv 
the enemy. As soon as the men liad reached the top, he 
rushed upon the garrison, already alarmed by the firing at 
the landing, closely followed by his little party, who, says 
Allen, " came after me like a stream of hornets to the 
charge." The garrison immediately fled, with the exception 
of one man who attempted to fire a cannon at the assail- 
ants. "Kill the gunner," cried Allen, at the same time 
discharging his mu.-ket. At this the man ran away with the 
match in his hand, leaving the Americans in full possession 
of the works. The terrified soldiers rushed down the cut 
way and were captured by Major Wait, who had been sta- 
tioned at the bridge to intercept their retreat. The only re- 
sistance offered, during the night, was by Lieutenant Lord of 
the 53d regiment, who commanded at the Block House, and 
who did not yield until several pieces of ordnance, taken 
frorn the sloop, had been bi'ought against it. 

Colonel Warner did not arrive near Mt. Independence until 
early the next morning. " He moved so extremely slow," 
says Ira Allen,* " that he saved his own men and hurt none 
of the enemy." When he came up, his force was united 
with Colonel Brown's and the fortress of Ticonderoga sum- 
moned, but Brigadier General Powel, who commanded 
there, refused to surrender, declaring that he was resolved 
lo defend himself to the last. Brown and Warner continued 
a cannonade against the fort for four days, when finding the 
guns made no impression upon the walls, they abandoned the 
siege and withdrew their forces to the lower end of Lake 
George. Here they embarked on the gun-boats which they had 
captured, and on the 24th, sailed against and attacked Dia- 
mond Island. On this island a large quantity of public prop- 
erty had been stored, which was guarded by two companies 
of the 47ih regiment, under Captain Aubrey. In this attack 

♦History of Vermont — London, 1798- 

18 



132 

the Americans were repulsed with a small loss, and retreated 

to the east shore of the lake, pursued by several gun-boats 
which were stationed at the i>land. As soon as tlie Ameri- 
cans landed, they burned their boats, crossed over the 
•mountains to Lake Charaplain and returned to Lincoln's 
camp at Pawlet.* 

The flite of Burgoyne's army, after it left the lake, is well 
known. On the 30th of July, the three divisions were uni- 
ted at Fort Edward. On the 16th of August, Colonel Baum 
was defeated at Bennington, by a body of New England' 
Mi^ilia, under General Stark. St. Legcr raised the siege of 
Fort Stanwix on the 2Sth of that month, and passing 
through Canada and Lake Champlain, soon after joined 
Burgoyne, between whom and General Gates a battle had 
been fought at Stillwater, on the 18th of September, in 
which the advantages were decidedly in favor of the latter. 
After the action Burgoyne retired as far as Saratoga, wliere 
another severe action was fought on the 7th of October. — 
On the 17th of that month " articles of capitulation" were 
signed and five thousand seven hundred and ninety-one Brit- 
ish and German troops were surrendered as prisoners of 
war. 

As soon as the news of Burgoyne's surrender reached 
Ticonderoga, the troops slationcd in that vicinity prepared 
for an immediate retreat to Canada. A few open boats now 
held what remained of the proud host, who three months 
before had ascended the lake with all the pomp and pano- 
ply of war. Then, their banners floated gaily in the breeze, 
and the clear no'es of the bugle startled the echoes of the 
surrounding hills ; now, whh watchful eyes they hurried 
silently along, and carefully avoided the shores, lest the 
thick and tangled forest might contain some bold and unseen 
foe. Nor were their fears without foundation ; fi^r, as they 

*In this expedition the Americans recovered the Continental Standard which had 
*een left behind when St. Olair'a army evacuated the fort in July. 



135 

perplexed at these strange manoeuvres of the fleet. Whenever 
it ascended the lake, an attack was expected in the direction 
of Fort Edward, but when, a few weeks afterwards, the fleet 
would withdraw without making an^- hostile demonstration, 
the idea prevailed that the movement was intended to create 
a diversion, while the actual blow w^as to be struck in 
another quarter. The m3-ster3' of these singular proceedings 
was not fully explained until several years afterwards, when 
it became public I3' known that the leaders of the people 
on the New Hampshire Grants had been, during the 
years 1780 and 17S1, infrequent and secret correspondence 
with the authorities of Canada in relation to the polhical des- 
tiny of the Grants. 

It is not ni}^ purpose to enter into an investigation as to 
the character or effect of this correspondence. The subject 
properly belongs to the Histor}^ of Vermont, and has already 
been ably reviewed b}^ her historians. It is enough here to 
say, that on the part of the British, the negotiation consisted 
of repeated endeavors to persuade ihe leaders on the Grants 
to abandon the American cause, and to declare the country 
a British Province, and on the other side, of evasive and 
ambiguous answers, calculated to keep alive the hopes of the 
British authorities, but not intended to pledge the leaders or 
the people to any certain action. It is ver\^ evident that if 
the leaders were really serious in their intentions, the people 
were prepared for no such arrangement. 

When the remnant of Burgoyne's army retreated to Can- 
ada in 1777, the British retained possession of Point Au 
Fer, which they occupied as a military post. They also held 
a small block-house on the west side of the island of North 
Hero. These places w^ere not given up until some lime 
after the close of the war. 

Botta — Burgoyne's Narrative — Tbacher's Military Journal — Trumbull's Reminis- 
cences of his own Times — Stone's Life of Joseph Brant — Journal of the New York 
ProvLacial Con^res^-.— Lossing's Field Book of the Bevolution, &c., ie. 



CHAPTER TX. 

From 1783 to 1800 — Progress and extent of Settlements on the borders of Lake 
Champlain — Personal Sketches — Trade and Commerce of the Country — Popula- 
tion, <4.c., &o. 

We have now trnced the history of Lake Champlnin, 
from its first exploration by the Europeans, in 1609, 
to the close of the war of the Revolution ; a period 
of one hundred and seventy-five years. This history, thus 
far, has been litlle more than a narraiive of continued strife 
and contention. Champlain was guided to the lake by a war 
party of Indians, who were seeking tlieir enemies upon the 
well known battle ground of that early day. He wrote the 
name of the lake upon its sands with the blood of the Iro- 
quois, and proclaimed it, for the first time, amid the cries of 
tortured and dying prisoners. For many years afterwards 
the French and Engli>h colonists crimsoned its waters with 
each other's blood, and when, after a short interval of com- 
parative quiet, the war of the Revolution broke f()rth, the 
tide of battle almost instinctively returned to its old chan- 
nel. It is not surprising that, under such circumstances, but 
little progress had yet been made towards the settlement 
and improvement of the country. 

In 17S3, the settlements near the lake were principally 
confined to the few towns in Vermont opposite and south of 
Crown Point. In that year the whole population upon the 
borders of the lake, or both sides, did not exceed six hun- 
dred. 

For several years after the declaration of Peace, emigra- 
tion to the north eastern part of Vermont was retarded by 



137 

the still pending dispute between the claimants under the 
New Hampshire (grants and the state of New York, in re- 
gard to land titles. This controversy had, howevf-r, lost 
much of its acrimony and all parlies were prepared lor its 
final adjustment, which took place in 1790. On the 4lh of 
!March, 179 1, Vermont was admitted into ihe Union as a sep- 
arate and independent State. In this year the population of 
the lake towns was six thousand seven hundred and sev- 
ent3'-three. 

In 1782, a party of royalists emigrated from St. Johns on 
the Richelieu, and commenced several improvements in the 
town of All)uroh. Soon afterwards Ira Allen obtained a 
grant of the town, from the authorities of Vermont, and 
brought actions of ejectment against the royalists, which 
however terminated in their fivor. A claim to the township 
was aiterwards advanced by Sir George Young, under color 
of a grant from the Duke of York, which was also success- 
fully resisted by the settlers. 

I4e La Motte was settled in 17<So, by Ebenezer Hyde, 
Enoch Hall and William Blanchard, and was organized as 
a town in 1790. In 1802, the name of the town was chang- 
ed to Vineyard, which it retained until 1830, when the orig- 
inal name of Isle La Motte was again resumed. The islands 
of North Hero and Grand Isle were chartered as a 
town in 1779, but no settlement was commenced there until 
1783. In March of that year Ebenezer Allen,* Alexander 
Gordon and Enos Wood visited the township for the purpose 
of locating their respective claims. Wood, who, by agree- 
ment between the parties was entitled to the first choice, 
located upon the south end of the north island; Gordon took 

*Ebenezer Allen was a native of Massachusetts. At the age of twenty-four, h& 
moved into Poaltney, and in company with his brother-in-law, Thomas Ashley, 
commenced the first settlement in that town. He was soon afterwards appointed 
Captain of a company of Minute Men, and served in Colonel Herrick's regiment of 
Rangers during the Revolution. He led the attacli against the British post on Mt. 
Defiance in September 1777, and afterwards captured about fifty of the rear-guard 
of Burgoyno's army on their retreat to Canada. 



138 

the north end of the south island, and Allen the south end^ 
In August, all three broug-ht on their taniiHes and commenced 
permanent improvements. For the first tew years the inhab- 
itants of these islimds, in common with those of the neigh- 
bori ig towns, suffered great inconvenience from the want of 
grist-mills, the most accessible being at Whitehall and Gran- 
ville, from eighty to one hundred miles distant. 
' The town of Milton was first settled in 17S3, Georgia in 
1784, and 8t. Albans in 178-5. In 1782 McClain, Low and 
Boardman moved on to Colchester Point, and in the same 
year Ira Allen returned to the lower falls of the Winooski, 
where he soon after erected mills, a forge and a shop for 
making anchors.* 

The first residents in the town of Burlington abandoned 
their improvements at the time of Burgoyne's invasion in 
1777. Stephen Lawrence, Frederick Saxton, Simeon Tubbs 
and John Collins moved into the town and renew(>d the set- 
tlement in 1783. The first town meeting was held in March, 
1787, when Samuel Lane was chosen town clerk. In 1789 
Stephen Keyes built a store in the village, which was opened 
in the fall of that year under the charge of Orange Smith. 
Another store was soon afterwards started by Zacheus Peas- 
lee. 

In the year 1787, there were about twenty families in the 
town of Shelburne. Charlotte was first permanently settled 
in 1784, by Derick Webb and Elijah Woolcut. John Mc- 
Neil soon afterwards moved into the town. He was elected 
its first town clerk and representative. In 1790 he removed 
to the lake shore and established a ferry between that place 
and the town of Willsborough, (now Essex) N. Y. Ferris- 
burgh was settled, after the war, by Abel Thompson, Gide- 
on Havvley, Timothy Rogers and others. In 1783 Amos 
Spaf?^)rd, Shadrack Hathaway, Eben Murry and Ephraim 

*Ara Allen waa the first Secretary of Vermont. Subsequently be was State 
Treasurer, Member of the Council, and Surveyor General. He rose to the rank of 
Major General of Militia, and, in 1793, was sent to Europe to purchase a supply of 
u-ms for the State. 



139 

and Wra. Fisher and John Charter commenced a settlement at 
Mt. Independence, in the town of Orwell, and the next year 
Pliny Smith and others moved into the town with their fam- 
ilies. The same year, Barber, Durfee and Noble moved 
into the town of Benson.* 

Let us now cross to the western or New York side of the 
lake. In 17S4 the County of Washington was organized, 
and originally included all the territory lying west of and 
adjoining the lake. In 17SS that portion, contained in the 
present counties of Clinton, Essex and Franklin, was taken 
from Washington and formed into a new county, which was 
called Clinton. Essex was taken from Clinton in 1799, and 
Franklin in ISOS. The town of Plattsburgh was organized 
as a part of Washington County in 17S-5, and included all 
the territory within the limits of the present towns of Beek- 
mantown, Saranac, Schuyler's Falls, and also portions of Old 
Peru and Old Chateaugay. It was the only town on the 
west side of the lake until 17S8, when Champlain, Wills- 
borough and Crown Point were organize(k Willsborough 
originally included the present towns of Chesterfield, Essex, 
Lewis and a part of Old Peru. Crown Point embraced all 
the territory lying between Willsborough and Lake George. 

When Burgoyne entered the United States, all the persons 
residing on the west side of the lake abandoned their habita- 
tions, and either joined the American Army, or retired to the 
neighborhood of Albany. They returned immediately after 
the Peace, and were soon fjllowed by others ; but the pro- 
gress of the settlement of the County was very slow for the 
first ten years. In 1790 the population of Clinton County, 
which then embraced the whole territory west of the lake, 
was to be found in the vicinity of the Saranac and the Bouquet 
rivers, and did not then exceed sixteenhundred and fourteen. 

Prior to the revolution William Gilliland had commenced 
a settlement at the falls of the Bouquet river, from 



*For further information, in regard to the first settlement of Vermont, see Za- 
dock Thompson's Gazetteer of Vermont— a most able and elaborate work. 

19 



140 

which he was taken and sent to Albany by order of General 
Gates, in 1776. After the war he returned, accompanied, 
or soon followed by Aaron Fairchild, Jonathan Lynde, Jo- 
seph Sheldon, Abram Aiken, Martin Pope, Melchor and John 
HofTnagie, John Morehouse and others, who in 1784 settled 
at or near the mouth of the Bouquet. In August, 1783, Ben- 
jamin Mooers accompanied by several other persons arrived 
at Point Au Roche and commenced the first permanent setde- 
ment within the limits of the present town of Beekmantown. 
About the same time Jacque Rous emigrated from Canada 
and settled at Rouse's Point. John La Frombois and Fran- 
cis La Montee returned to their farms on the lake shore in 
Chazy, in 1784. Prisque Ashline lived on the Corbeau riv- 
er in 1786, and Phny Moore in Champlain in 1785. In 
1787 Robert Cochran and Nathaniel Mallory resided on 
the lake shore, near the mouths of the Ausable rivers ; Mo- 
ses Dickson, Jal)ez Allen and Lot and John Elmore on the 
rich lands lying between those rivers, and Edward Everett 
and John Stanton in what is now called the "Union," in the 
town of Peru. 

In 1781, the Legislature of the State of New York, in order 
to encourage the raising of troops for the defence of the 
State, passed certain acts offering bounties of unappropria- 
ted lands to such officers and soldiers as should enhst within 
a specified time. These bounties were divided into rights 
of five hundred acres each, and there was a provision in the 
act, that whenever any number of persons entitled collective- 
ly to sixty-one rights, or 30,500 acres, should join in a loca- 
tion, the lands so located should be laid out in a township of 
seven miles square, and that the remaining 860 acres, in 
such township, should be reserved for Gospel and School 
purposes. These rights were sometimes retained by the 
soldiers, but, more frequently, a company of land specula- 
tors would furnish money to the recruiting officers, to be 
paid as a bounty to those who on enhstment should transfer 
their certificates to the company. In this way a large por- 



141 

tion ot the unappropriated lands of the State, subject to loca- 
tion, passed into the hands of a few nidividuals. 

Judge Zephaniah Piatt, of Poughkeepsie, and thirty-two 
other persons, having united in the purchase of the number 
of rights requisite to entitle the holders to a township, 
located them, in 1784, upon the lands which had formerly 
been embraced in the warrant issued by the English Gov- 
ernment to Charles De Fredenburgh. A survey of the Innd 
was made in the same year b}'- Captain Nathaniel Piatt and 
Captain Simon R. Reeves, two of the proprietors, and a pa- 
tent issued by the State to Zephaniah Piatt in 17S5.* 

The proprietors were active in their efforts to secure the 
immediate settlement of the tract. Ten "gift lots" were set 
apart for the first ten persons who should move into the 
town with their families, and arrangements were made, at 
an early day, for the building of Mills, &c. 

On the 30th of December, 1784, twelve of the proprietors 
met at the house of Judge Piatt, in Poughkeepsie, where 
they agreed to become jointly interested in building a saw- 
mill, a grist-mill and a forge on the Saranac, near its mouth. 
They also agreed to furnish twine for a seine, and to build a 
piragua " of a moderate size." Attached to the agreement 
was an estimate of the probable cost of the mills, from 
which it appears that three hundred and sixteen dollars were 
appropriated for mill-stones, irons, nails, bolting-cloth and 
saw, and sixty-five dollars for flour and bread. One hundred 
and sixty dollars was divided equally betweenporkandNcw 

*The following is a list of the origiual proprietors of Plattsburgh Old Patent, and 
of the number of acres allotted to each. Thomas Treadwell, Nehemiah Benedict and 
Thomas Benedict, 1120 acres; Nathaniel Piatt, 950 ; Nathaniel Tom, 480; Burnet 
Miller, 480; Ezra L. Hommedieu, 320; Peter Tappen, 480; John Miller, 640 ; 
Benjamin Walker, 320; John Berrien, 4S0; Jonathan Lawrence, 480 ; Benjamin 
Smith, 480; Israel Smith, 960; Melancton Smith, 1120; Zephaniah Piatt, 9U0; 
AVi 11 iam Floyd, 320; Benjamin Conklin, 500 ; Andrew Billings, 400; John Ad- 
orns, 1600; Thomas Stone, 1000 ; Lewis Barton, 200 ; Ebenezer Mott, 200; Zacheus 
Newcumb, 1200; Piatt Rogers, 1500; General Scliuyler, 950; Benjamin Titus, 
400 ; Charles Piatt, 800 ; John Smith 400 ; Albert Adriance, 200 ; Samuel Smith 
200 ; Jacobus S. Swartout, 200; Simon 11. Reeves, 2,800; Zephaniah and Nathan- 
iel Piatt 4,050; Zephaniah and Nathaniel Piatt and S. R. Reeves, 4,300. 



142 

England rum — a pint of rum to a pound of pork being a 
workman's requisite in those roistering days. 

Among those who received the " giit lots" were Jacob 
Ferris, Thomas Allen, John B. Hartwick, Derrick Webb, 
Jabez Peltit, Moses Soper, and Kinner Newcomb. Ferris 
received a deed for one hundred and twenty acres lying on 
the south side of the river Saranac, at its mouth, which 
covered all that part of the present village of Plattsburgh 
lying east of the river. In 3 7S5, Charles McCreedy, Me- 
lancton L. Woolsc^y and several others moved into the town. 
Cumberland Head was then supposed to present the most 
eligible point for business, and the first stoj-es estabhshed in 
the town were located there. After a lew years, the stores 
were removed to tlie present village, but " the Head" still 
continued to be a place of some importance. It had a direct 
communication wuth Vermont, by ferry, and lor a long time 
was the usual landing place for vessels navigating the 
lake. 

Probably few towais in the state of -New York can 
claim among their first inhabitants and proprietors, a greater 
number of men of talent than Plattsburgh. Conspicuous in 
this class were Melancton Smidi, Zephaniah Piatt, Thomas 
Treadwell and Peter Sailly. 

Melancton Smith, one of the proprietors, was a native 
of Jamaica, Queen's County, L. I., w^here he was born in 
1744. While a boy he was placed in a retail store in Pough- 
keepsie, and resided in that town until his removal to the 
city of New York in 17S4. At the early age of thirty-one, 
he was chosen one of the delegates to represent the county 
of Dutchess in the first Provincial Congress of New York, 
which met in May 1775, and soon became a leading and 
distinguished member of that bod3^ He was one of the 
committee who prepared the celebrated address to the Cana- 
dians, at the commencement of the revolutionary struggle. 
On the 22d of June, 1776, he was appointed captain com- 
mandant of three companies of Militia raised in Dutchess 



143 

nnd West Chester, and the next year was placed on llie com- 
mission to prevent and subdue insurrection and dissatisfac- 
tion in those counties. He was in the same year appointed 
the first sheriff ot" Dutchess county, which ofiice lie held for 
f"our years and was afterwards made a Judge of the Common 
meas.* 

In 177S, though then a resident of the city of New York, 
Mr. Smith was chosen by the people of Dutchess county to 
the convention which met in June of that year to consider 
the Constitution of the United States, as prepared by the 
Convention at Philadelphia in May of the preceding year. In 
the discussions mid deliberations of this body, he exhibited 
talents and information of'tlie highest order, and was ranked 
as one of the ablest opponents of Hamilton and Livingston 
on the floor of the Convention. When it was ascertain- 
ed that a sufficient number of States had so decided 
as to render the adoption of the Constitution certain, 
Mr. Smith gave up his objections. "This was deemed at the 
time," says Chancellor Kent, " a magnanimous sacrifice of 
preconceived principles and party discipline for the national 
welfare, and the effort was the greater, inasmuch as he had ' 
to desert his friend, Governor Chnton,who persevered to the 
end in his hostility to the Constitution."t 

Mr. Smith was twice married. His first wife was Sarah 
Smith, of New Jersey, who died in 1770 ; his second, Mar- 
garet, daughter of Richbill Motte of Long Island, whom he 
married in 1771, and by whom he had four children, Rich- 
bill, Melancton, Sidney and Phoebe, all of whom afterwards 
resided in Plattsburgh. He died in the city of New 
York on the 29th of July 179S, in the 5-5th year of his age. 

" Melancton Smith," says Mr. Dunlap, " was a man of 
rough exterior, powerful in bodily appearance, and undaunt- 
ed in expressing his mind, which he did in plain language, 
but with a sarcasm that was cutting and a humor correct and 



*Journal of the New York Provincial Congress. 

tChancelior Kent, as quoted in Appendix to Thompson's History of Long Island. 




144 

playful." "He was," says Chancellor Kent, " very amia- 
ble in his temper and disposition, of a religious cast, and very 
fond of metaphysical and logical discussions, in which he 
was a master." In private life he was kind, affectionate 
and communicative, and as benevolent as amiable ; indeed 
his charity knew no limits. While the army was encamped 
near his residence in Dutchess county, the females of the 
family were constantly employed in making clothing for the 
soldiers. " I could only make up my bedding by stealth," 
Mrs. Smith afterwards used to say, " for if the Judge came 
in and found me sewing upon a pair of sheets, he would re- 
quest the cloth cut into shirts for the half naked soldiers of 
Washington's army." 

Zephaniah Platt was possessed of a clear, sound and 
discriminating mind, and was classed among the first men 
of the State. In 1776, when forty one years of age, he was 
chosen a delegate from Dutchess county to the first Provin- 
cial Congress, and occupied a prominent position in that bo- 
dy ; he was a member of the Committee of Safety and took 
an active part in the convention called for forming a constitu- 
tion for the State. He was for a short time commissary for 
the troops under command of Brigadier General Clinton. In 
June, 1777, he was appointed a Judge of the Dutchess Com- 
mon Pleas, and the same year was elected one of the State 
Senators for the middle District, then composed of the coun- 
ties of Dutchess, Ulster and Orange. He was also a mem- 
ber of the State Convention which assembled at Pough- 
keepsie, in June 17SS, to deliberate on the adoption of the 
Constitution of the United States. 

In the Spring of 1777, the counties of Dutchess and West 
Chester were filled with disniiected persons, who, it was 
feared, upon the first advance of the British troops out of 
New York city, would attack those friendly to the American 
cause. To prevent this, the Provincial Convention appoint- 
ed Mr. Platt and two other members of their body a com- 
mittee to clear those counties of all dangerous and disaffec- 



145 

ted persons. "You are," were the instructions to the com- 
mittee, " on every occasion, by every means in your power, 
(torture excepted,) to compel the discovery and dehvery of 
all spies nnd emissaries of the enemy, who you may have 
reason to believe are concealed in any part of the country 
through which you may make your progress, and upon due 
proof immediately execute them hi terrorem.^^* The commit- 
tee executed the delicate and responsible duty confided 
to tliem with firmness, and with the most impartial 
justice. 

After the war Mr. Piatt engaged largely in the purcliase 
of military land warrants and located them principally upon 
Lake Champlain. He removed from Poughkeepsie toPlatts- 
burgh about the year 1801, where he resided until his death, 
in September 1807. 

Thomas Tread well, another of the original proprietors 
of Plattsburgh, was born in Smithtown Long Island in 1742, 
and graduated at Princeton in 17G4. He was well educated, 
and highly distinguished for his good sense, prudence and 
firmness. In 17d5, he was a member of the Provincial Con- 
vention. He was also a member of the Convention that fi'am- 
ed the State Constitution, and was one of the Senators under 
that Constitution. In 1788, he was a member of the Convention 
which assembled to consider the Constitution of the United 
States, in which he co-operated with Clinton, Melancton 
Smith, Yates and Lansing. He was made Judge of Probate 
of Suffolk county in 1783, and held the office untd Surro- 
gates were appointed, when he received the appointment 
of Surrogate, which he held until 1791.t Soon after the or- 
ganization of Clinton county, he removed to Plattsburgh and 
was chosen a Senator lor the northern District. In 1807, he 
was appointed Surrogate of Clinton county, which oflBce he 
held until the spring of 1831. He was for many years the 
last surviving member of the venerable assembly that fram- 

* Journal of the New York Provincial Congress. 
tTliompson's History of Long Island. 



14G 

ed the first Constitution of the State ; and died on the 30th 
of January? 1832, enjoying to the last the respect and confi- 
i dence of his fellow men. 

Peter Sailly was a native of Loraine, France. He first 
visited the United States in 1783, and made a tour of ex- 
ploration through the valley of the Mohawk and the country 
bordering on Lake Champlnin. In 178-5, he returned to 
France for his family, with whom he arrived at the city of 
New York in the summer of that year, and, having passed 
the winter in Albany, settled the following spring in the town 
of Plattsbuz'gh. Mr. Sailly was a man of great probity, pos- 
sessing strong powers of mind and a clear discernment of char- 
acter. He was active, enterprising and firm ; a master of or- 
der and method and scrupuloush' exact in his business trans- 
actions. Although educated in a foreign land, he l^rought to the 
country of his adoption a mind deeply imbued with the princi- 
ples of liberty, which he carefully cherished and enlarged 
in after life. He held several offices of public trust, and to 
the hour of his death enjoyed the unlimited confidence of his 
fellow men. In 1804, he was elected a member of Congress 
from the Saratoga, Chnton and Essex district, and by his 
strict attention to business and a judicious and unostentatious 
course, won the confidence of Mr. Jefferson, by whom he 
was soon after appointed Collector of Customs for the district 
of Champlain — an office he held through the successive ad- 
ministrations of Madison and Monroe until his death in 182G; 
a period of over eighteen years. 

The duties of Collector, during a portion of this time, 
were most delicate and responsible, as upon the revenue 
officers devolved the arduous and unpopular service of put- 
ting in execution the embargo and non-intercourse laws. In 
the discharge of this duty Mr. Sailly never hesitated, but, 
upon all occasions, enforced the laws with promptness and 
strict impartiality. Kind and affable in his intercourse with 
his fellow citizens, he wounded the feelings of none by a 
rough or unnecessary display of power, while his firmness 



147 

and determination af character were too Well understood^ 
for any one to hope, by the strongest opposition, to deter him 
from the prompt discharge of his pubUc duties. 

The first Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions 
for Clinton County was held at Plattsburgh, on the 28th of 
October, 17S8. Judge Charles Piatt presided. Peter Sail- 
ly, Theodoras Piatt, William McAuley, Pliny Moore and 
Robert Cochran, were the Associate Justices ; Benjamin 
Mooers was Sheriff; Melancton L. WooLsey, Clerk; John 
Frontfreyde, Coroner ; and Robert Paul, Jonathan Stephen- 
son, Lewis Lizotte and Jonathan Lynde, Constables. One 
Attorney, only, was in attendance, who appeared in behalf 
of the people ; the prisoners were defended by the Clerk.* 
The first Circuit and Oyer and Terminer, for the northern 
part of the State, was held by Judge Benson, at the Court 
House in Plattsburgh, on the ISth of August 1796. The 
next year Judge Lansing held a Circuit Court at " the Block 
House" in Willsborough, where the Court also convened in 
1798. 

Li 1789 George Clinton and Robert Yates were opposing 
candidates for Governor. The canvass was so warmly con- 
tested that the supporters of Governor Clinton secured his 
re-election by the small majority of four hundred and twen- 

*Charles Platt was a native of Long Island and a brother of Zephaniab 
Piatt. He removed to Plattsburgh soon after the organization of the town, was 
elected its first Supervisor, and for several years was town Clerk. He was First 
Judge of the Clinton Common Pleas until the year 1804, and in 1808 was appointed 
to the office of County Clerk, which he held until 1822. Melancton L. Woolsey 
was the youngest son of Melancton T. Woolsey of Long Island, and in early life had 
served as an officer in the army and as aid to Governor Clinton. He removed to 
Plattsburgh in 1785, was soon after appointed Clerk of Clinton County and was, for 
several years. Collector of Customs for the Champlain District. Benjamin Mooers 
was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, on the 1st of April, 1758, and at the age of 
eighteen entered the army as a volunteer. In 1777 he was appointed Ensign in 
Hazen's regiment, and was afterwards promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and Ad- 
jutant. At the close of the war, he removed to Clinton County, of which 
he was the first Sheriff. He was four times elected member of the Assembly, and 
once of the State Senate. During the war of 1812 he held the office of Major Gen- 
eral of Militia, and for forty-eight years was County Treasurer. He died at Platts' 
burgh in February 1838, in the 80th year of his age. 

20 



148 

ty-nine votes. The entire vote of Clinton County, at this 

election, was forty-five, which was thus divided between the 

two candidates. 

Clinton. Yates. 
Crown Point, 10 

Willsborough, 15 3 

Plattsburgh, 17* 

In 1793 the vote of the County was increased to one hun- 
dred and thirty-four. George Clinton was elected Governor 
over Stephen Van Rensselaer, in 1801, by a majority of three 
thousand nine hundred and sixty-five. At this time Essex 
had been set off from Clinton, and several new towns had 
been organized in both counties. This year the vote was as 
follows : 

clinton county. 

Clinton. Van Rensselaer. 

Champlain, " 42 45 

Lisbon, 21 71 

Plattsburgh, 107 21 

Chateaugay, 11 52 

Peru, 90 24 

271 213 

V 82 

6 

9 

13 

175 110 

The vote of both Counties in 1803 was 749, which was 

increased to 929, in 1804. Two years later the number of 

votes polled in both counties was 1,247. 

The increase of population on both sides ol the lake, from 

*The poll list of this election was not preserved, but it can be conjectured who 
cast these seventeen votes, when it is known that the following seventeen persons 
were elected to town offices in Plattsburgh, at that election. Charles Piatt, Kinner 
Newcomb, Theodorus Piatt, Melancton L. Woolsey, Abraham Beeman, John Steph- 
enson, John Cochran, Jr., Nathan Averill, Cyrenus Newcomb, Edward Everett, Peter 
Sailly, John B. Hardwick, Jonas Allen, Moses Soper, Titus Andrews, Benjamin 
Mooers and Lucius Reynolds. 



ESSEX COUNTY. 




Willsborough, 


50 


Crown Point 


10 


Elizabethtown, 


09 


Jay, 


46 



149 

1790 to ISOO, was nearly two hundred per cent. During 
this decade considerable progress was made in agriculture ; 
particularly on the Vermont side, where the attention of the 
great body of the inhabitants was directed to the cultivation 
of the soil, the raising of sheep and the production of flax. 
The manufactureof pot and pearl ash was also carried on to 
a considerable extent. Some attention had likewise been 
given to the manufacture of iron. As early as 1792, four 
forges were erected in Addison County and two in Chitten- 
den, and prior to the year ISOO, several other forges had 
been erected at other points, upon both sides of the lake. 
These forges were principally supplied from a bed near 
Crown Point, which is yet celebrated for the quality and 
quantity of its ore.* The country abounded with maple 
trees from which large quantities of sugar were annually 
made. Many of the maples were of very large size and it 
was not unusual ibr the farmers to make from twelve to fif- 
teen pounds of sugar, in the course of the season, from a sin- 
gle tree.t 

The first settlers were generally hunters and derived con- 
siderable profit from the sale of peltry, as the country then 
abounded with moose, deer, bears, beavers, foxes, wolves, 
rabbits, martins, &c. The lake was also celebrated for the 
abundance, variety and delicate flavor of its fish. Salmon, 
muskellunge, bass, shad, pike, pickerel and perch were 
caught in great abundance in all parts of the lake, and in 
the mouths of the principal streams. The lower part ot the 
lake near Wind-mill Point, and the Big Chazy river at the 
foot of the first rapids, were especially celebrated for their 
salmon fisheries. Champlain, in the account of his expedi- 
tion in 1609, describes a large fish found in the lake, which 

*When Kalm was at Crown Point, in 1749, he noticed black sand upon the shores of 
the lake, but he says it was not then known whether there were iron mines in the 
neighborhood or not. Iron ore was first found within the present limits of Clinton 
County, in 1800. when the " Winter Bed" was discovered by Mr. George Shafifer. 
The " Arnold Bed" was first opened in 1809. 

tWilliams' History of Vermont. 



150 

the Indians called chaousnroi/, and which grew to the length 
of eight or ten feet. He saw one five feet long, " as thick 
as a thigh, with a head as big as two fists, with jaws two 
feet and a half long and a double set of very sharp and dan- 
gerous teeth." "Tlie form of the body," says Champlain, 
" resembles that of the pike, and it is armed with scales that 
a thrust of a poniard cannot pierce ; and is of a, silver grey 
color. The point of the head is like that of a hog."* This 
fish made war upon all others in the lake, who fled in terror 
at its approach. It was probably the csox Jongirostris or the 
csox ossem of Mitchell. The species, of smaller size, still ex- 
ists in the lake, and is occasionally caught near Isle La 
Motte.t 

A large quantity of pine and oak timber was annually cut 
on the borders of the lake, which was rafted, through the 
Richelieu and St. Lawrence, to Quebec, from whence it was 
shipped to England. The timber trade had furnished em- 
ployment for tlie early settlers before the Revolution. After 
the war, it greatly increased, and, for many years, formed 
an important traffic for the inhabitants residing on the west 
side of the lake. The amount of sawed lumber exported at 
that early day was inconsiderable, for although there were 
saw-mills upon all the principal streams on both sides of the 
lake, they were generally rude buildings, erected and 
used solely to supply the wants of their immediate neigh- 
borhood. 

The commerce of the lake was principally limited to a 
small export and import trade with Canada. Vermont im- 
ported rum, wines, brandy, gin, coarse linens and woolens, 
tea, coffee, chocolate, and many articles necessary for building. 
Her exports were grain of all kinds, bar iron, wrought nails, 
pot and pearl ashes, beef, pork, lumber, peltry, maple sugar 
and some flax.|: The exports on the New York side were 

*Voyage3 de la Nouv. France, 1609. 

tSee De Kay's description of the Gar Fish and of the Buffalo Bony Pike, in the 
Jfatural History of New York. 
tWilliams' History of Vermont, 



151 

lutnber, pot and pearl ashes, peltry and iron. Large quanti- 
ties of grain and provisions were brought from Vermont and 
Canada, to supply the inhabitants of Clinton and Essex 
counties, who, from the first, had been allured from the pur- 
suits of agriculture, by the attractions of the lumber 
trade. 

Large tracts of land, lying in Clinton county, were set 
apart in 1784 and 1786 for Canadian and Nova Scotia refu- 
gees, and for such of the inhabitants of the State as had 
served in the United States Army and were entitled to land 
bounlies, under the act of 1782. These tracts were survey- 
ed and subdivided, and many of the lots were occupied 
under the State Grants. The greater portion, however, 
were forfeited for want of actual occupation, and the 
lands were afterwards patented by the State to other 
persons. Among those acquiring title by patents was 
William Bailey, who purchased an extensive tract in 
the present town of Chateaugay. He moved there in 
the year 1800, and cleared and cultivated a large farm 
near the "Four Corners." At an early day he built a forge 
on the Chateaugay River, near the falls, which he intended 
to supply with ore from a bed at the south end of the Upper 
Chateaugay Lake. This bed, when first opened, presented 
every indication of containing a large supply of ore, but it 
soon became exhausted, and the forge was abandoned. Mr. 
Bailey also erected a paper-mill at Chateaugay, which con- 
tinued in operation for several years. This was the first 
paper-mill in northern New York.* 

Before Mr. Bailey settled in Chateaugay, he was employed 

*WiLLiAM Bailev was a son of Colonel John Bailey of Dutchess county. At the 
age of eighteen, he was drafted into the Dutchess county militia, and was sent to 
join the army at West Point. He first visited Lake Champlain in 1786, and aided 
in the survey of the lands belonging to Zephaniah Piatt and his associates. lie was 
one of the Associate Justices of the Clinton Common Pleas in 17W, and was ap^ 
pointed First Judge of the County in 1806. In 1800, he was appointed J'irst Major 
in Lt. Col. Benjamin Mooers' regiment of Militia, and was elected a member of the 
Assembly in 1802, and again in ISOG. He removed to Plattsburgh in 1811, where 
ie resided until his death, in the year 1810. 



V 



152 

by the State to survey the lands set apart for the Canadian 
and Nova Scotia refugees. At this time the British occupied 
Point Au Fer as a mihtary post, and the commanding officer 
there refused to allow the surveying party to approach or to 
continue their survey to the Point. The claim of the British 
commandant seems to have included all the territory north 
of the Big Chazy River, for after Judge Pliny Moore settled 
in Champlain in 1785, he was visited, on the first of each 
month, by a corporal and file of men, sent from Point Au Fer 
to notify him that his claim of title from the slate of New 
York would not be recognized. No attention was paid to 
these repeated warnings, which continued until the British 
gave up possession of Point Au Fer, about the year 1788. 
I have already had occasion to refer to the conflicting 
claims set up by various parties, and at different times, to the 
title and sovereignty of the country bordering on Lake 
Champlain. The last of these claims had been adjusted in 
the year preceding the admission of Vermont into the Un- 
ion. In the year 1792, the Caughnawaga and St. Regis In- 
(Uans, calling themselves the Seven Nations of Canada, sent 
a deputation to the Government of the state of New York, 
claiming a tract of land covering a large portion of the north- 
ern part of the State. A commission, consisting of Egbert 
Benson, Richard Varick and James Watson, was appointed 
to treat with the Indian Chiefs upon the subject, and in the 
summer of 1796, an arrangement was effected, by virtue of 
which the Seven Nations relinquished their claim, with the 
exception of the St. Regis reservation, for a small sum in 
hand paid, and a yet smaller perpetual annuity. 

As soon as the Seven Nations had completed their nego- 
tiations with the state of New York, they advanced a similar 
claim against Vermont, for lands lying on the east side of 
\\ Lake Champlain. 

The subject was carefully examined by the Legislature of 
Vermont, but no decision was had until the next year, when 
the Governor of the State was requested to inform the claim- 



].53 

ants that the Legislature was of the opinion that then* claim, 
if it ever existed, had long since been done away and be- 
come extinct, in consequence of the treaty of Peace, in 1763, 
between the King of Great Britain and the French King, 
and the treaty of Peace between the King of Great Britain 
and the United iStates, in the year 1783 ; and that the Indians 
had now no real claim either in justice or equity. This de- 
cision was communicated to the Indians and the subject 
was dropped, without any further negotiations by either 
party. 

The Caughnawagas resided on the south bank of the St. 
Lawrence, near the Island of Montreal, in Canada. The 
St. Regis Indians lived above and upon the same bank of 
that river. The latter still occupy the lands reserved to 
them by their agreement with the State, in 1796. These 
Indians were quiet and peaceable, and endeavored net only 
to preserve order within their own territory, but to prevent 
the violation of the laws of New York. An instance of their 
respect for order and good government occurred in 1S04, un- 
der the following circumstances. 

Jocco Lafrance, a St. Regis Indian, in the winter or spring 
of that year, killed a man near Chateaugay, and escaped to 
the Indian village. He was immediately arrested by the 
Chiefs and dehvered up for trial. The evidence on the trial 
not being sufficient to convict Jocco of murder, he was ac- 
quitted of that charge, but was banished from the county. 
The Chiefs were satisfied that Jocco was really guilty, and, 
on his return, banished him from their village also. They 
likewise addressed the following letter to Judge Bailey, who 
was then one of the magistrates of Chateaugay : 

" This may certify to whom it may concern, that we the 
Chiefs and warriors of the village of St. Regis are deter- 
mined to hold among ourselves a strict regulation of justice,, 
and that whereas Jocco Lafrance has committed crimes not 
within our jurisdiction, but he belonging to our village, im- 
mediately apprehended said Jocco and delivered him up to 



1 



154 

justice where said crime was committed, to receive just 
punishment under their laws, according to the crime he had. 
committed, which we esteem murder to be the most henious 
crime in felony. Said Jocco has now,^ after his trial, return- 
ed to us again by banishment. For which now said Chiefs, 
having a full sense that the said Jocco has committed the 
henious crime of murder, have passed a Resolve that the 
said Jocco must immediately leave the territories under our 
jurisdiction, and also, if any person shall or may see said 
Jocco, it is our sincere wish that they may disappear him 
away from us, and never to have him seen among us while 
Time shall be on earth. 
St. Regis, Octobr 17, 1S04. 

By order of the Chiefs. 

WILLIAM GRAY." 



CHAPTER X. 

Difficulties between Great Britain and the United States — Henry's Mission to New 
England — President Madison's Message to Congress — Report of Committee on 
Foreign Affairs — Declaration of AVar in June 1812 — Troops ordered to the Cham- 
plain Frontier — General Dearborn's " Morning Visit " in Canada — His Army go 
into Winter Quarters — Affair at St. Regis — Operations on the Ontario Frontier 
during the Summer of 1813 — British and American Naval force on Lake Cham- 
plain — Loss of the Growler and Eagle — Colonel Murray burns the Barracks and 
Public Buildings at Plattsburgh. 

Although Great Britain acknowledged the Independence of 
the United States, by the Treaty of 1783, she could not forget 
that they had once formed the largest and most important 
of her Colonial possessions. A feehng of dissatisfaction per- 
vaded the British nation, and led to many acts of oppres- 
sion towards the infant confederacy. Vessels, sailing upon 
the high seas under the American flag, were boarded by 
her ships of war ; American seamen were impressed ; trade 
with neutral nations was forbidden, and the territory of the 
United States invaded. 

In June 1807, the British Ship of War Leopard fired in- 
to and boarded the U. S. Frigate Chesapeake, while the 
latter vessel was yet within sight of the American coast. — 
Ten days after this attack, Mr. Jefferson issued a proclama- 
tion interdicting all intercourse with the British armed ves- 
sels then within the waters of the United States. This 
proclamation was followed, on the 22d of December of the 
same year, by an act of Congress declaring an unlimited 
embargo on every port in the Union. 

During the year 1808, negotiations were conducted be* 



J 50 

tvveeu the two couatri(3S in a temper that promised a pacific 
termination of tlie dispute ; but no definite arrangement 
was concluded. The United States, in the mean time, was 
making preparations for defense. A large number of gun- 
boats were constructed for the protection of the sea coast, 
and, in January 1809, the President was directed to equip 
four new vessels of war. About the same time. Lieutenant 
Melancton T. Woolsey was sent north to build two gun-boats 
on Lake Chamj^lain, and a brig of sixteen guns on Lake 
, Ontario. 

When the news of the attack upon the Chesapeake first 
reached the people, there was a general cry of indignation 
throughout die country. Politics, however, ran high at the 
time, and diis natural and national sentiment was soon con- 
sumed, in many quarters, b}^ the fire of party strife. As the 
dispute with Great Britain progressed, the opposition of the 
anti-administration party developed itself more and more 
against the policy and measures of the Government, until, 
at length, the authorities in Canada were induced to believe 
that a portion ot the States were anxious to secede from the 
Union.* To encourage this feeling of discontent, Sir John 
Craig, Governor of Canada, sent the notorious John Henry 
as an emissary among the federalists of the New England 
States, with directions to ascertain how far, in case of their 
separation from the Union, they "would look to England for 
assistance or be disposed to enter into a connection with 
: Great Britain." 

Mr. Henry reached Burlington on the 12th of February, 
1809, and at first was much pleased with the evidences of dis- 
content among the people. "On tlic subject of the embargo 
laws," he writes Governor Craig, " there seems but one 
opinion ; namely : that they are unnecessary, oppressive 
and unconstitutional. It must also be observed that the exe- 
. cut ion of them is so invidious ;is to attract towards the offi- 

*This opposition was the most violent in the Eastern States, the inhabitants of 
■ which were more commercial, and had suffered more from the effects of the embar- 
.• go, than those of any other section of the Union. 



cers of Government., the enmity of the people, whieh is of 
course transferred to the Government itself ; so that, in case 
the state of Ma.-ssachusetts should take any bold step towards 
resisting the execution of these laws, it is highly probable 
that it may calculate upon the hearty co-operation of the peo- 
ple of Vermont." A few days later Mr. Henry expresses 
some doubts as to the correctness of his first opinions. "The 
federal party," he again writes Governor Craig, " declare 
that in the event of war, the state of Verniont will treat sep- 
arately for itself with Great Britain, and support to the 
utmost the stipulations in which it may enter, widiout any 
regard to the pohcy of the General Government. The demo- 
crats on the other hand assert that, in such a case as that 
contemplated, the people would be nearly divided into equal 
numbers ; one of which would support the Government, if 
it could be done witiiout involving the people in a civil war ; 
but at all events would risk every thing, in preicrence to a 
coalition with Great Britain." 

Henry's investigations were not very satisfactory, and be- 
fore he left for Boston, he evidently became convinced that 
in the event of a dispute among the States, the citizens of 
Vermont could not be relied upon to join the seceders, or to 
unite in a strong opposition to the war. He had at first been 
led astray by tlie loud clamor of politicians, and by the com- 
plaints of those who had suffered most from the operation 
of the embargo. These law^s had severely injured the com- 
merce of the lalve, and had broken up the direct communica- 
tion with the Canada markets, upon which the inhabitants of 
the lake counties depended for a sale of their products, and 
for a supply of foreign commodities. 

The country was filled with smugglers, who frequently 
came in coUision with the revenue officers. In some of 
these encounters blood had been shed and lives lost. The 
first serious affj-ay occurred on the Winooski River, 
in ISOS, between a party of Government officers and a 
, smuggling vessel called the Black Snake, in which two of 



158 

the Government officers were killed. Attempts were fre- 
quently made to seize the Collectors and Revenue officers, 
stationed on both sides of the lake. These attempts always 
failed, but, on one occasion, two of the assailants were 
severely, although not mortally wounded. The feeling of 
opposition to the embargo was strong at the time of Henry's 
visit, in 1809, and induced him to attach greater importance 
to the representations of a few persons, as to the sentiments 
of the inhabitants of Western Vermont, than was warranted 
by the real incUnations of the people themselves. It is well 
known that when war was declared, the Vermontese were 
not only ready to repel an invasion of that State, but that 
many of them volunteered to cross the lake, and oppose the 
advance of the British into the state of New York. 

The difficulties between the United States and Great Bri- 
tain continued to increase, in number and importance., until 
the year 1812. On the 1st of June of that year, Mr. Madi- 
son sent a message to Congress, in which he reviewed 
the various grounds of complaint against Great Britain, 
and set forth, at length, the unsatisfactory manner in which 
that power had received and treated the frequent remonstran- 
ces made on the part of the United States. This message 
was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, who, a few 
days afterwards, made a report in which they fully concur- 
red in the sentiments expressed in the President's message. 

In this report the Committee declare that more than seven 
years had elapsed, since the commencement of a system of 
hostile aggressions, by the British Government, on the rights 
and interests of the United States. That the United States 
had done every thing in their power to preserve the relations 
of friendship with Great Britain, and had given proof of this 
disposition at the moment when they were made the vic- 
tims of an opposite policy. The Committee then referred to 
the attack made by Great Britain upon the commerce be- 
tween the United States and the Colonies of France and 
Spain. A commerce which, they declared, was just in 



159 

itself, sanctioned by the example of" Great Britain in regard 
to the trade with her own colonies ; sanctioned by a solemn 
act between the two Governments in the last war, and by 
the practice of the British Government in the then existing 
European War. 

They refer, at length, to the different attacks made by 
Great Britain upon the rights and sovereignty of the United 
States ; the interference with her neutral trade ; the pre- 
tended blockade of the whole coast of Europe, from the 
Elbe to Brest, inclusive ; the order of Council of January 
1807, by which neutral powers were prohibited from trading 
from one port to another of France, or of her allies, or to 
any country with which Great Britain might not freely trade ; 
the order of Council of November of the same year ; the 
claim of right to search vessels sailing under the American 
flag ; the impressment of American citizens into the British 
naval service, and the attempt to dismember the Union, by 
a secret mission to foment discontent and excite insurrec- 
tion against the constituted authorities and laws of the 
nation. 

Having clearly and plainly stated the facts upon which 
these chai'ges were based, and reviewed the whole course 
of Great Britain against the United States, since 1S04, the 
Committee recommended an immediate appeal to arms, and 
introduced a bill declaring war between the United States 
and Great Britain. This bill passed the Senate by a vote of 
nineteen to thirteen, and the House of Representatives by 
a vote of seventy-nine to forty-nine, and was promulgated by 
the proclamation of President Madison, on the 17th day of 
June, 1812. 

Active measures were immediately taken by many of the 
States to second the action of the General Government. The 
state of New York approved warmly of the course of the ad- 
ministration, and prepared to prosecute the war with vigor. 
Vermont was at the time under the control of the democrats, 
and both the Governor and Legislature pledged themselves 



160 



to support the country in the approaching contest. A law- 
was immediately passed by the Legislature of the latter 
State, prohibiting all intercourse with Canada without a per- 
mit from the Governor, and measures were taken for call- 
ino- out the militia whenever their services might be re- 
quired. 

The effective force in Canada, at the time of the declara- 
tion of w^ar, was about ten thousand men. These troops were 
principally concentrated around Quebec, but the greater part m 

were soon afterwards removed to Upper Canada, which was ' I 

threatened on the west by an army under General Hull. In I 

the summer of 1812, General Bloomfield was ordered to the 
Champlain frontier, with several regiments. By the .1st of 
September, be had about eight thousand men, including reg- 
ulars, volunteers and militia, under his command. This force 
was stationed at Plattsburgh, with small advance parties 
thrown forward as far as Chazy and Champlain. The troops 
remained in quarters until the 16th of November, when they 
advanced north, under the immediate command of Major 
General Dearborn, and, on the 18th, encamped about half a 
mile south of the Canada line. The army collected at this 
point numbered three thousand regulars and two thousand 
militia. 

The entire British force on the northern frontier did not 
exceed three thousand men, and of these not more than one 
thousand were within strildng distance of the American 
army. When Dearborn had concentrated his troops near 
the lines, he prepared to cross mto Canada. As he approach- 
ed Odletown, Major Salaberry, who commanded in that 
quarter, sent forward two companies of voltiguers and three 
hundred Indians to support the two companies of embodied 
militia, who formed the British outposts on the La Colle. — 
Major Salaberry followed, the next day, with the remainder 
of the voltiguers and four companies of chasseurs. 

Before day-break on the morning of the 20th, a detach- 
ment of Dearborn's army forded the La Colle, and sur- • 



161 

rounded the guard-house which was occupied by the Caua- 
dian mihtia and a few Indians, who rushed out, Ijroke 
through the American lines, nnd escaped unhurt. In the 
mean time a second [)arty of the Americans had advanced, 
and commenced a sharp fire upon those in possession of the 
ground mistaking them for the British picket. This fire con- 
tinued for neari}^ half an hour, when being undeceived, the 
two parties united and hastily retreated, leaving behind diem 
five killed and as many wounded.* The troops immediately 
afterwards returned to Champlain. The designs of the 
American General were so completely obscured, that no one 
discovered the particular advantages intended to be gained 
by this singular and inefficient movement. It was a prelude 
to many similar operations on the Champlain ii-ontier, during 
the war. 

On the 23d of September, the army returned to Platts- 
burgh, where the 6th, i5ih and 16th. regiments went into 
winter quarters. The militia were disbanded ; the 9th, l]th, 
21st and 25th regiments were sent to Burlington, and the light 
Artillery and Dragoons returned to Greenbnsh. Brigadier 
General Chandler commanded the troops left at Burlington, 
and Colonel Pike those stationed at PlattsburMi. 

On the 23d of October, a gallant affair took took place at 
St. Regis, where Major Young surprised a party of British, 
and took forty prisoners. But the Campaign of 1812 did 
not add to the lustre of the American Arms. On the Cham- 
plain frontier, nothing was achieved beyond the little affair 
at St. Regis. The operations on the Ontario frontier were 
confined to a few skirmishes, the defence of Fort Niagara, 
and an unsuccessful and most disastrous assault upon Queens- 
town ; while the incompetent and timid Hull surrendered 
Detroit and the North-western Army, without a battle, or 
any effort to maintain the honor of the country. 



♦Christie's History of the War in Canada. General Armstrong, then U. S. Sec- 
retary of War, says this account does not diflFer materially from those given by the 
American officers. 

22 



162 

In the course of the winter preparations were made for the 
invasion of Upper Canada. The two brigades stationed on 
Lake Champlain, moved for the Ontario frontier in February, 
leaving a small detacliment at Burlington to protect the mag- 
azines and provisions collected there. The west side of the 
lake was left wholly unprotected, and remained so until the 
month of September following. 

On the 25th of April, General Dearborn, who command- 
ed at the west, left Sackett's Harbor at the head of seven- 
teen hundred men, and on the 27th disembarked at York in 
Upper Canada, (Toronto,) which was then deiended by Gen- 
eral Sheaffe, at the head of seven hundred regulars and mi- 
litia and one hundred Indians. As soon as the troops were 
landed, they advanced to the attack, under the command of 
Pike, who had lately been promoted to a brigade. The 
advance was gallantly led by Captain John Walworth of 
the 16th, at the head of his company of Grenadiers. Two 
redoubts were carried, and the main column was pressing 
against the principal work, when the magazine exploded, 
scattering the walls of the buildmg in every direction. This 
explosion was most fatal to both parties ; killing about forty 
British regulars, and thirty-eight of the Americans. Two 
hundred and twenty-two of the latter were wounded. The 
brave and gallant Pike received a severe contusion from a 
large stone, wliich terminated his life in a few hours. 

On the fall of Pike, General Dearborn landed and as- 
sumed the command. General Sheaffe immediately retired 
with the regular troops, leaving Lieutenant Colonel Chewitt 
and the Canadian militia to continue the defense. Chewitt 
soon after surrendered. In this engagement the loss to the 
Americans was fifty-two killed and two hundred and fifty- 
four wounded. The British loss amounted to one hundred 
killed, about three hundred wounded and two hundred pris- 
oners. When Dearborn's men entered the Provincial Par- 
liament House, they found a human scalp suspended over the 
mace, near the Speaker's chair.* 

*Gen. Dearborn to Secretary of War. Commodore Chauncey to Secretary of Navy 



163 

On the 27th of May the Americans, under General Mor 
gan Lewis, entered Canada and captured Fort George, after 
a severe contest. Two days afterwards, Lieutenant Colonel 
Preston took possession of Fort Erie, which had been hastily 
abandoned by the British, and the magazine blown up. The 
same day, Brig. Gen. Brown successfully repulsed Sir George 
Provost, who led an attack against Sackett's Harbor. On 
the 14th of June a severe action took place at Sloney Creek, 
in which the British were forced to retire, but not until they 
had captured Brigadier Generals* Chandler and Winder, 
who had incautiously advanced beyond support of the main 
body of their troops. On the 23d of the same month. Gener- 
al Dearborn sent Colonel Boerstler, with 570 men, to attack 
a body of British stationed at Beaver Dams, about 9 miles 
from Queenstown. Boerstler had nearly reached the point 
of attack, when he was surrounded by a party of the ene- 
my, and sm-rendered after a contest of two hours' duration. 

In July, CotTimodore Chauncey entered the harbor of 
York (Toronto), seized a quantity of flour and public stores, 
and burned the barracks and military store -houses at that 
place. On the 10th of September, the gallant Perry captur- 
ed the British squadron on Lake Erie. " It has pleased the 
Almighty," he writes to the Secretary of the Navy, " to 
give to the arms of" the United States, a signal victory over 
their enemies, on this lake. The British squadron consist- 
ing of two ships, two brigs, one sloop and one schooner, 
have this moment surrendered to the force under my com- 
mand, after a sharp conflict." In October, Maiden was oc- 
cupied by General Harrison, and a few days afterwards a 
large British force, under General Proctor, was defeated on 
the banks of the Thames. 

Prior to the commencement of the War, the whole naval 
force on Lake Champlain consisted of two gun-boats, which 
lay at Basin Harbor, on the Vermont side of the lake. In 
the course of the summer of 1812, two small sloops were 
fitted up and armed, to which were joined four scows, car- 



164 

rying one long eighteen pounder each. These vessels con- 
stituted the whole naval force of the Aniericans. The Bri- 
tish, at that time, had no vessels on the lake, nor any in the 
Richelieu larger than gun-boats. 

Late in the fall of 1812, Lieutenant Thomas Macdonough 
was ordered north to take charge of the naval operations on 
the lake, which until then had been confided to Lieutenant 
Sidney Smith.* 

Macdonough brought out his vessels in the spring of 1813, 
as soon as the lake was free from ice. The American flotil- 
la at this time consisted of tlie sloop President, fitted up 
during the winter, which was commanded by INIacdonough 
in person ; the sloop Growler, Lieutenant Smith, and the 
sloop Eagle, Mr. Loomis. About the first of June, Mac- 
donough received information of an attack, by several Bri- 
tish gun-boats, upon some small craft at the lower end of the 
lake. In consequence of this intelligence, he ordered Lieu- 
tenant Smith to move towards Rouse's Point, with the 
Growler and Eagie, in order to attack the gun-boats, should 
they again make then* appearance. Lieutenant Smith left 
Plattsburgh harbor, with his vessels, on the morning of the 
2nd of June, and about dark cast anchor within a mile of the 
lines. The next morning, about day break, he got under 
way, and proceeded down the Richelieu as far as Ash Is- 
land, (Isle aux Tetes) where he discovered and gave chase 
to three British gun-boats. The wind was blowing fresh 
from the south, at the time, and soon brought the sloops, the 
Growler leading, within sight of the works at Isle Aux Noix. 
The sloops now tacked and began to beat back towards the 

Mr. Smith was 5th Lieutenant on board the Chesapeake at the time of the LeO' 
pard's attack upon that vessel, in June 1807, and, on the return of the Chesapeake 
to Hampton Roads, joined the other oflacers of that frigate in a letter to the Secre- 
tary of the Navy, prefering charges against Commodore Barron, and requesting a 
Court of Inquiry upon his conduct. He afterwards served on board the U. S. ship 
Wasp, and, in March 1810, was ordered to Lake Champlain, where he remained in 
command, until the arrival of Lieutenant Macdonough in the fall of 1812. He 
married a daughter of Judge Bailev, of Plattsburgh, and died, a commander, in 
1827. 



105 

open lake, having the wind against them, with a shght ad- 
verse current in the river. 

i\.s soon as the British were aware of the advantages these 
circumstances gave them, three of their row-galleys came 
out from under the works at Isle Aux Noix, and opened a 
brisk fire upon the sloops. As the galleys carried long 
twenty-lours, while the largest guns on the sloops were 
eighteens, the former were able to select their own distance, 
nor could the latter come to close (quarters, without running 
within range of the fire of the batteries on the island. To 
render the situation of the sloops still more critical, the Bri- 
tish now lined the woods on each side of the river, and 
opened upon them with musketry. This fire was returned 
with constant discharges of grape and canister, and, in this 
manner, the contest was continued for several hours, with 
great gallantry on both sides. About four hours after the 
commencement of the action, a shot from one of the gal- 
leys struck the Eagle under her starboard quarter and pass- 
ed out on the other side, ripping off a plank under water. 
The sloop went down almost immediately, but fortunately in 
shoal water, and her crew were taken ofFby boats sent from 
the shore ; soon after this accident, the Growler had her fore 
stay and main boom shot away, when she became unman- 
ageable and ran ashore. 

In this engagement the Growler had one killed and eight 
wounded, and the Eagle eleven wounded, mcluding the pi- 
lot, Mr. Graves. The whole number of men on board both 
vessels, when they went into action, was one hundred and 
twelve, including Captain Herrick and thirty-three volunteers 
from his compan5\ The officers and men were taken pris- 
oners and sent to Canada. The two sloops, having been re- 
' fitted, were transferred to the British service, their names 
being changed to the Finch and Chubb, and were subse- 
quently re-captured by Macdonough in September, 1814. 
The loss to the British, in this engagement, was never cor- 
rectly ascertained. It must have been very severe, howev- 



166 

er, as their forces odvancecl to the bank of the river, where, 
destitute ot" shelter, they received broadside after broadside 
of canister and grape. A sergeant of the 11th Regiment, 
who had volunteered on board one of the sloops, and who 
was paroled on account of his wounds, reported that he 
counted thirty of the enemy dead upon one small spot.* 

The capture of the Growler and Eagle gave to the British 
the superiority on the lake. In July Macdonough increas- 
ed his naval force, which by the loss of the Growler and 
Eagle had been reduced to one sloop, by the addition of six 
gun-boats, and, by the 20th of August, had fitted out and arm- 
ed three small sloops, mounting together 28 guns. This in- 
creased the American force on the lake to about fifty guns. 
In the official returns in the Admiralty office, it is stated that 
the British had at Isle Aux Noix or St. Johns, on the 24th of 
July, two sloops of eleven guns and forty men each, and three 
gun-boats of twenty men each. Other accounts state their 
naval force, in August, at three sloops, four gun-boats and 
three row-galleys, mounting in all about forty-two guns. The 
efficacy of this arm was however less than the number of 
guns would seem to indicate, for the sloops, on both sides, 
were originally built and used in the transport service, and 
were not adapted to war purposes. 

Before the American flotilla had been increased by the 
addition ot the three sloops, a party of British, under Colo- 
nel Murray, made a descent upon Plattsburgh, and destroyed 
or took away a large amount of public and private property. 
Although this was in fact nothing but a predatory incursion, 
it was treated by the English, at the time, as a most glorious 
achievement, and has been so considered by their historians up 
to the present day. Mr. Alison, in his history of Europe, a 
work replete with errors in relation to the rnilitary operations 
on this frontier during the war of 1812, refers to the expedi- 
tion, and says that " the English flotilla, with nine hundred 



*Tho current belief, in the neighborhood of the action, was that the British loss 
exceeded two hundred, but this was probably an exaggeration. 



167 

men on board, stretched across the lake, took Plattsburgh, 
which was evacuated by twelve hundred Americans, with- 
out firing a shot, bi;rncd part of the naval stores and brought 
away the rest, and also destroyed the American naval es- 
tablishments at Champlain and Burlington." 

A greater number of errors could not well be collected in 
so few words. Alison has overrated the number of Ameri- 
cans at Piattsburgh, diminished the actual strength of the 
British, and misstated every circumstance connected with 
the transaction. The force under Colonel Murray was em- 
barked on two war sloops, three gun-boats and lbrt3^-seven 
lonir-boats. and numbered over fourteen hundred men, inclu- 
ding infantry, sailors and marines. With this force Murray 
crossed the fines on the 30th of July, passed Champlain, 
where the Americans had not then, nor ever had, a naval 
establishment, and on the afternoon of Saturday, the 31st, 
arrived at Piattsburgh, where he landed, without opposition, 
and began a work of destruction which continued until ten 
o'clock of the next day, when he re-embarked and stood put 
of the Bay. At the time the British landed^ there w^ere no 
regular troops on the west side of the lake. Major General 
Hampton, it is true, was at Burlington on the opposite side, 
twenty miles distant, with between three and four thou- 
sand men under his command, but, from some unaccount- 
able cause, he made no attempt to cross the lake or to pro- 
tect the village of Piattsburgh, although he had twenty-four 
hours notice of the intended attack. While the British were 
at Piattsburgh, about three hundred militia were hastily col- 
lected, but they did not approach the vifiage until the enemy 
had retired. 

When Colonel Murray first entered the village, he assured 
the civil authorities that private property should be respec- 
ted, and that citizens, not in arms, should remain unmoles- 
ted. These promises were, however, most shamefully vio- 
lated, tor the British, not satisfied with destroying the block- 
house, arsenal, armory and hospital in the village, and the 



16S 

military cantonment near Fredenburgii Falls, two miles 
above, wantonly burned three private store-houses, took 
possession of about two thousand dollars worth of hardware, 
belonging to merchants of the city of Boston, and plundered 
several private dwellings, destro^ang furniture and such arti- 
cles as they could not use or cany away. The value of the 
private property plundered exceeded eight thousand dollars. 
Inventories of this property were prepared and published at 
the time, and include long lists of furniture, books, clothing, 
cooking utensils, groceries and dry goods. Soldiers would 
break into private dwellings and bear off back loads of 
property to the boats, in the presence of British officers, who, 
when remonstrated Avith by the plundered citizens, replied 
that they could not prevent it, as the men did not belong to 
their company.* The value of the public property des- 
troyed was estimated at twenty-five thousand dollars. 

Colonel Murray, having accomplished the work of 
destruction, retired in great haste, leaving behind him a 
picket-guard of twenty-one men, who were made prisoners 
and sent to Burlington. The long-boats and two of the 
gun-boats then proceeded to S wanton, Vt., where the men 
burned some old barracks, and plundered several citizens of 
the place. On their way, they landed at Cumberland Head 
and Point Au Roche, and pillaged the houses and farms of 
Henry W. Brand, Judge Tread well and Jeremiah Stowe. 
They also burned a store at Chazy Landing belonging to 
Judge Saxe. The two sloops and the other gun-boat, after 
leaving Plattsburgh, stood for the south and sailed ten or 
twelve miles above Burlington, when they returned towards 
Canada. As the vessels passed Burlington they fired a few 
shots at the place, but bore away as soon as the batteries on 
shore began to play upon them. While on the lake, the 



*It appears by the inventories of plundered property, published at the time, that 
Judge De Lord lost $1079.18; Peter Sailly, Esq., $887.77; besides two store-houses 
burned and valued at $900; Judge Palmer $386.50; Doctor Miller $1200; Bostwick 
Buck $160; Jacob Ferris $700: several smaller amounts were lost by other citizens- 
A store-house belonging to major Piatt was also burned at the time, 



169 

British took or destroyed eight or ten long-boats engaged 
in the transportation business, and captured a Durham boat 
loaded with flour. 

While Colonel Murray was at Plattsburgh he dropped a 
letter from his hat, which was afterwards picked up, and 
found to contain information as to the best mode of attack 
on Plattsburgh, together with a map of the encampment and 
military works at Burlington. A few days afterwards the 
person who wrote the letter was arrested on a charge of 
high treason, and sent to Albany for safe-keeping. 

23 



CHAPTER XL 

Plan of the Campaign of 1813 — Hampton at La Colle aed Chateaugay — Colonel 
Clark at Missisco Bay — Skirmishes — Operations on the Lake — Dispute between 
the Vermont Volunteers and Governor Chittenden — Failure of the Campaign of 
1813— Battle of La Collo Mill— British attack the Works near Otter Creek— Op- 
erations during the Summer — Death of Colonel Forsythe — Izard ordered to the 
West — Condition of Affairs after his Departure. 

In July 1813, Mnjor General James Wilkinson assumed 
the command ot the Northern Department. Al)out the same 
time, the American Secretary o(" War, Mr. Armstrong, re- 
paired to Sackett's Harbor to supervise the military operations 
on the Ontario frontier. The plan of the Secretary contem- 
plated " a descent upon Kingston, and a subsequent move- 
ment down the St. Lawrence." A large force was also col- 
lected at Burlington, on Lake Champlain, which was placed 
under the immediate command of Major General Hampton. 

About the 1st of September, Hampton was directed to 
move towards the British posts on the Richelieu, in order to 
create a diversion in favor of the Western Army, and to co- 
operate, if necessary, with Wilkinson in an attack upon 
Montreal. The American troops, numbering about four 
thousand men, were immediately concentrated at Cumber- 
land Head, where they were joined by a body of New York 
Mihtia, who had been called into service by Governor Tomp- 
kins. On the 19th, the Infantry and light troops moved from 
Cumberland Head in boats, flanked on the right by Mac- 
donough's flotilla, and at twelve o'clock at night reached 
Chazy Landing. The next morning they entered the Big 
Chazy river, and disembarked at the foot of the rapids, near 



171 

the village of Champlain, where they were joined by a 
squadron of Horse and two companies of Artillery. The 
same dtiy the army moved north as far as Odletown, in Can- 
ada. Hampton remained one day in Canada, when learning 
that the springs and streams, in the direction of the St. Law- 
rence, had been dried up by an unusual drought, he deter- 
mined to change his route, and to approach Montreal by the 
way of the Chateaugay. 

On the 21st, the army returned to Champlain, and, on the 
evening of the 24th, reached Chateaugay Four Corners, 
where they remained inactive for twenty-six days. On the 
IGth of October, Mr. Armstrong wus at Sackett's Harbor, 
debating whether he should attack Kingston, or make an im- 
mediate descent upon Montreal. Hampton was ordered to 
advance to the mouth of the Chateaugay River, or to some 
other convenient point on the St. Lawrence, from which an 
easy and direct communication could be opened between the 
two armies. In pursuance of this order, he entered Canada 
on the 21st, and the next day encamped on the Chateaugay, 
at a point about twenty miles below the Four Corners. — 
There he remained until the 20th, when he planned an ex- 
pedition against a small body of British troops, who were 
stationed about six miles below. The expedition failed, and 
Hampton returned to the Four Corners, with a loss of thirty- 
five men, in killed and wounded. A few days afterwards 
he broke up his camp and returned to Plaitsburgh, where 
the army was ordered into winter quarters. 

While the army lay at Chateaugay, Colonel Isaac Clark,* 
who commanded a detachment of troops stationed at Cham- 
plain Village, was ordered to " commence a petty war near 
Lake Champlain." "What am I aiming at," writes Plamp- 
ton, " is tranquility on the road, by kicking up a dust on the 
lines."t A better officer than Clark, to accomplish this ob- 

*Colonel Clark served in the Revolutionary War. He was a Lieutenant in Cap- 
tain Ebenezer Allen's Company, and took part in the surprise of Mount Defiance, in 
■September 1777. 

tLetter to Secretary of War, October 4th, 1813, 



172 

ject, could not have been selected. He had served with 
Herrick's Rangers in the Revolution, and was well skilled in 
border warfare. 

On the evening of the ] 1th of October, Clark crossed the 
lake with one hundred and ten men, a part of whom belonged 
to the Rifle Corps, and early the next morning reached the 
village of Missisco Bay, where a small party of British were 
stationed, under command of Major Powell. Clark placed 
himself at the head of the Rifles, and advanced at double 
quick time until he met the main body of the enemy, who 
had been hastily drawn up near the guard-house. Directing 
his men to halt, he approached the British and ordered them 
to lay down their arms. Major Powell advanced and attempt- 
ed to speak, but Clark sternly ordered him to remain silent, 
and march " to the rear of the American line." The bold- 
ness of the order, and the confident tone in which it was 
given, induced the Major to believe that the Rifles were sup- 
ported by a large force, and he instantl}^ obeyed. Clark 
ordered his men to advance against the main body, who, 
under command of their Captain, was preparing to charge. 
A volley from the Riflemen struck down the Captain and 
several men, when the rest threw down their arms and sur- 
rendered themselves as prisoners of war. Captain Finch 
was now sent forward to watch a force of two hundred 
British, who were advancing under Colonel Lock. Finch 
proceeded with such promptness and secrecy, as to sur- 
prise an advance guard of Cavalry, except one man who 
escaped and gave information of the approach of^the Ameri- 
cans, when Colonel Lock immediately retreated with the 
rest of his command. The loss of the British, in these at- 
tacks, was nine killed and fourteen wounded. One hundred 
and one prisoners were taken by Claik and sent to Bur- 
lington. 

During the autumn of this year, a slight skirmishing war 
was carried on between the American and British picket- 
guards, which kept the frontier in a state of excitement and 



173 

alarm, without, however, doing much injury to either party. 
Upon one occasion, about the 1st of October, a small party 
of New York militia crossed the lines and attacked a picket- 
guard stationed at Odietovvn, witliin the district under com- 
mand of Major Perreault of the Canadian detached Volun- 
teers. The audacity of this act excited the ire of the Cana- 
dian officer, who, in retaliation, dischai'ged a gasconade at 
the whole town ot" Champiain. 

" Citizens of Chamj)lain !" exclaimed the indignant Major, 
*' I am happy that liumanit}^ should still have so much power 
over me as to inform you that, should any of the militia of 
Champiain be found hovering this side of the line, I will let 
loose upon your village and inhabitants the Canadian and 
Indian force under my command. You are probably aware 
that it has been with the greatest difficulty I have till now 
withheld them. But your cowardly attack at midnight, of 
a small picket of our's, has torn asunder the veil which hid 
you from them — so beware P^ This message was enclosed in 
a note to Judge Moore, with a request that he would ac- 
quaint the people with " the tenor of the humane advertise- 
ment." Judge Moore performed his duty, but the militia 
were obdurate. 

As soon as the army had retired into winter quarters, 
Hampton repaired to Washington, leaving General Izard in 
command at Plattsburgh, and General Parker at Burling- 
ton. Izard was soon afterwards ordered to join Wilkinson, 
who, on Hampton's return to Plattsburgh, had gone in- 
to winter quarters at French Mills. On the departure 
of Izard's brigade, the frontier on the western side of 
the lake was again left unprotected. About the middle 
of December, a strong detachment of British troops, under 
command of Captain Barker of the frontier light Infantry, 
crossed the lines into Vermont and destroyed some public 
store-houses and barracks which had been erected at Derby. 
This attack, and the threatening movements of the British 
forces stationed along the Richelieu, induced the magistrates 



174 

of Plattsburgh to address a letter to General Wilkinson, 
who was then at French Mills, in which they represented 
the exposed condition of the public property, and their ap- 
prehension that another invasion might soon be expected, 
unless a strong force was stationed on the west side of the 
lake. As soon as Wilkinson received this letter, he ordered 
a company of dragoons to Plattsburgh from Burlington, and a 
detachment of Infantry from Chateaugay Four Corners. — 
The Infantry reached Plattsburgh on the 8th of January, 
having made a forced march of forty miles that day. Other 
detachments of troops soon afterwards arrived, and on the 
10th, Wilkinson repaired to Plattsburgh in person. The 
camp at French Mills was broken up, and all the magazines 
and provisions forwarded to Lake Champlain. 

The operations on the lake, during the autumn of 1813, 
were of little importance. The British flotilla remained in 
the Richelieu, while the American vessels rode quietly at 
anchor on the lake. About the 1st of December, Macdon- 
ough moved to King's Bay and anchored under Point Au 
Fer. A few days after his arrival at that place, Captain 
Pring entered the lake with six armed galleys, landed at 
Rouse's Point, and burned a small shed there, which had been 
used as a public store-house. As soon as Macdonough re- 
ceived information of the approach of the British galleys, 
he weighed anchor, and, it being calm at the time, attempted 
to work out of the bay with sweeps. At the same time he 
sent Lieutenant Cassin forward, with four row-galleys, with 
orders to bring the enemy into action, and thus detain them 
until the sloops could get up. The British, however, refused 
to engage, and Lieutenant Cassin returned after an unavail- 
ing pursuit of three miles.* 

Sir George Provost gives a different and erroneous ac- 
count of this trifling affair. In a letter to Earl Bathurst, 
under date of December 12th, he sa^'^s "A division of gun- 
boats, with a detachment of troops, which I had ordered, on 

*Macdonough to Secretary of Navy, December 6th, 1813. 



175 

the 1st of the month, to advance into Lake Champhiin, for 
the purpose of molesting General Hampton's division, suc- 
ceeded in burning an extensive building lately erected at 
Plattsburgh, as a depot magazine ; some bateaux, together 
with the ammunition, provisions and stores found in it, were 
either brought away or destroyed. The severity of the 
weather obliged Captain Pring, of the royal navy, under 
whose command I had placed the expedition, to return to 
Isle Aux Noix on the 5th." Sir George was evidently mis- 
informed as to the facts, by the officer in command of the 
expedition. 

The " extensive building lately erected at Plattsburgh as 
a depot magazine," was a small slied near the lake shore at 
Champlain Landing, which laid former I tj been in pubhc use,, 
and the smoke from which gave the first information to Mac- 
donough of the enemy's approach. A few days after this 
affair, the ice blocked up the narrow channel below Rouse's 
Point, when Macdonough withdrew his vessels, and laid 
them up for the winter in Otter Creek. 

In November of this year, a dispute arose between Gov- 
ernor Chittenden of Vermont and some of the citizens of 
that State, involving the right of the militia, in certain cases, 
to pass without the territorial limits of their own State. — 
The Governor, in his annual message, had taken strong 
grounds against the war, which he considered " doubtful as 
to its necessity, expediency or justice." He also declared 
that the mihtia were exclusively assigned for the service and 
protection of the respective States, except in the cases provi- 
ded for by the National Constitution. — That it was never in- 
tended that they should, "by any kind of magic," be at once 
transformed into a regular army for the purpose of foreign 
conquest, and he regretted that a construction should have 
been given to the Constitution, " so peculiarly burden- 
some and oppressive to that important class of our fellow 
citizens." 

In opposition to these friendly suggestions, a portion of the 



17() 

militia, under Lieutenant Colonel Luther Dixon, crossed the 
lake and placed themselves under the orders of General 
Hampton. This movement called Ibrtli a proclamation from 
the Governor, in which he ordered the militia to return, and 
hold themselves in readiness to act under the orders of Brig- 
adier Genernl Davis, who had been appointed to the com- 
mand of their brigade. " The military strength and resources 
of the State," says Governor Chittenden, "must be reserved 
for its own defence and protection, exclusively, except in cases 
provided for by the Constitution of the United States, and 
then under orders derived only from the Commander-in- 
Chief." 

This proclamation was distributed among the volunteers, 
who were then stationed at Plattsburgh, and created great 
excitement with both the officers and men. The agent, by 
whom it had been circulated, was arrested and held to bail, 
in a large amount, for his appearance before the United 
States District Court. The officers also published a reply 
to the proclamation, in which, in very plain terms, they in- 
formed the Governor that they should not obey his orders, 
but should remain in service until regularly dischai-ged. In 
this reply they say ; " If it is true, as your Excellency states, 
that we are out of the jurisdiction or control of the Execu- 
tive of Vermont, we would ask from whence your Excellen- 
cy derives the right, or presumes to exercise the power ot 
ordering us to return from the service in which we are en- 
gaged? If we are legally ordered into the service of the 
United States, your Excellency must be sensible that you 
have no authority to order us out of that service. If we are 
illegally ordered into the service, our continuance in it is 
either voluntary or compulsory. If voluntary, it gives no 
one a right to remonstrate or complain ; if compulsory, we 
can appeal to the laws of our country for redress against 
those who illegally restrain us of our Hberty. In either 
case we cannot perceive the right your Excellency has to 
interfere in the business." 



I 



177 

This was pretty sharp firing, and effect ually silenced the 
Governor's batteries. The brigade remained at Plattsburgh, 
until it became known that the contemplated invasion of 
Canada had been abandoned for the winter, when the vol- 
unteers returned to Vermont, and probabl}'- put themselves 
"under the command of Brigadier General Davis." 

The campaign of 1813 was directed towards the impor- 
tant Military posts on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence 
river. It commenced with bright prospects of success, but 
failed through the imbecility of the officers who had been 
called to the head of the army. The people were deeply dis- 
appointed at the result. They had placedgreat confidence in 
their commanding Generals, whose numerous dispatches were 
written in lofty style, and were filled with predictions of 
most brilliant victories. " I am destined to and determined 
on the attack of Montreal, if not prevented by some act of 
God," cries Wilkinson, on the 6th of November, from the 
head of an army of SOOO men.* " The Rubicon is now 
passed, and all thatremams is to push forward to the Capi- 
tol," is the bold declaration of Hampton.t \'ain and empty 
Doasting. Two weeks later, the one was quietly settled at 
Plattsburgh, and the other was building winter quarters at 
French Mills and Chateaugay. 

The campaign of 1S13 is closed. General Wilkinson at- 
tributed its failure to the refiisal of Hampton to join him at 
St. Regis, on the St. Lawrence. He declared that by ajunc- 
tion of the two armies he could have secured Montreal in 
eight or ten days. " It is a fact," he writes the Secretary 
of War, " for which I am authorized to pledge myself on the 
most confidential authority, that on the 4th of the present 
month [November,] the British garrison of Montreal consist- 
ed solely of four hundred marines and two hundred sailors, 
which had been sent up from Quebec. What a golden, 

♦Letter to General Hampton. 
tLetter to Secretary of War, Nov. 12. 

24 



178 

glorious opportunity has been lost by the caprice of Major 
General Hampton."* 

General Hampton, on the contrary, censured Wilkinson 
for desiring a junction of the two armies, with the scanty 
supply of provisions within reach of St. Regis. He con- 
tended that to have moved forward, with the 4000 troops 
under his command, would have seriously weakened, if it 
did not destroy both armies. That his true course was to 
throw himself upon his main depots atPlattsburgh, and from 
that point to open a communication direct to Caughnawaga ; 
which would relieve the western army, and at the same 
time retain all the benefits to be expected from a junction at 
St. Regis.t 

In December General Hampton was withdrawn from the 
frontier, but General Wilkinson retained his command until 
after the unsuccessful attack upon a grist-mill in La Colle, 
when he too was ordered to Head Quarters. The assault 
on the La Colle mill was made on the 30th of March 1814. 
About the first of that month Major Forsyth had been sent 
to the lines, near Chaniplain, with 300 Riflemen and 60 Dra- 
goons to protect the frontier, and to break up an illicit inter- 
course which had been carried on with the enemy during the 
winter. Detachments had also been sent to the Vermont 
frontier, under command of General Macomb and Colonel 
Clark, for a similar purpose. About the same time General 
Wilkinson examined the country around Rouse's Point, with 
a view to the erection of batteries there, which should com- 
mand the outlet of the lake and blockade the British flotilla 
within the Richelieu. 

These movements alarmed the British, who hastened to 
strengthen their military posts in the vicinity of Rouse's 

*A " glorious opportunity" indeed, for two large armies to capture six hundred 
men ! 

fAbout one month prior to this time, Hampton attempted this very route, and 
backed out before he had penetrated four miles into Canada. Referring to the dis- 
patches of the two northern Commanders, Mr. Niles, in his Register, exclaims,. 
" The cacoethes scribendi again rages with singular violence in the army, with symp- 
toms fatal to gallons of ink and hundreds of goose quills !" 



179 

Point. Major Hancock, of the 1.3th, occupied La Colle with 
six hundred men, and the forts at St. Johns and Isle Anx 
Noix were garrisoned by about two thousand men, under 
comuiand of Lieutenant Colonel Williams of the same res:- 
iment. When Wilkinson learned that the British force near 
the lines had been increased, be ordered the troops station- 
ed at Plattsburgh to be advanced to Cham plain, where he 
also directed Macomb and Clark to concentrate their respec- 
tive commands. On the 29th of March, four thousand men 
were collected at Champlain, of whom 100 were cavalry 
and*304 artillerists. The latter had with them eleven pieces 
of cannon of small calibre. Wilkinson now planned an at- 
tack against Major Hancock, who occupied a grist-mill on 
the banks of the La Colle river, about five miles north of the 
lines. 

On the morning of the 30th, the American army marched 
out of Champlain, upon the Odletown road. The advance 
guard was composed of the Rifles under Major Forsyth, and 
the 30th and 31st and part of the 11th Infantry, under Col- 
onel Clark ; in all about 600 men. They were followed by 
two corps of Infantry, under Brigadier Generals Bissell and 
Smith. A reserve of 800 men, under General Macomb, 
brought up the rear. The roads at this time were obstruct- 
ed by fallen trees and by heavy drifts of snow, and were 
nearly impassable for artillery. The guides, too, were igno- 
rant of the country, and led the army off from the main 
road into a very narrow and crooked winter path, lead- 
ing from Odletown to La Colle. On the way to La Colle, 
Bissell's corps was attacked by, and after a short skirmish 
repulsed a party of Canadian mihtia, who had been stationed 
as a picket on the main road at Odletown. 

The La Colle mill, against which the Americans were 
now advancing, was a strong stone building. The walls had 
been braced on the inside with heavy timbers, the windows 
closed up, and port holes made, in every direction, for the 
fire of musketry. A small clearing, of from one to two 



180 

Imntlred yards in width on each side of the river, surround- 
ed the mill. The woods adjacent were of small growth but 
very thick. The river, at the mill, was frozen over, but be- 
low it was open to its mouth. The Richelieu was also open 
from the mouth of the La Colle to Isle Aux Noix. 

The American troops did not reach the ground until be- 
tween one and two o'clock in the afternoon, when a portion 
of Bissell's brigade took a position to the south of the build- 
ing and commenced the attack, which, for the first half hour, 
was confined to a fire of musketry. Major McPherson then 
brouglit up a twelve pounder, which he planted about* two 
hundred and fifty yards to the south of the mill. With this 
gun a brisk but ineffectual fire was directed against the 
rear of the building, and afterwards against the side wall. 

When it was ascertained that the gun was too light to 
break down the walls, orders were given to bring up an 
eighteen pounder, but its carriage had broken down, three 
miles back, and could not be repaired in time to be of ser- 
vice during the day. The cannonade upon the mill was re- 
turned by a brisk discharge of musketry, which was kept 
up during the whole attack, but did little damage, as the 
American troops were posted out of range of the fire. In 
the course of the afternoon, an unsuccessful assault was made 
upon a detachment of Americans who guarded the north 
banks of the La Colle, by two companies of the 13th Regi- 
ment, sent from Isle Aux Noix to reinforce the garrison m the 
mill. While these companies were engaged, a sortie was 
made against the centre of the American line. The attack 
was executed with great gallantry but did not succeed, al- 
though the artillery were driven from the gun, which would 
have been captured, had not a portion of General Bissell's 
brigade been sent to its rescue. A short time afterwards, an- 
other attack was made upon the gun by a Grenadier Com- 
.pany of the Canadian fencibles and a Company of Volti- 
guers, who had followed the movement of the troops from the 
'Odletown road. Thisattack was also unsuccessful. The two 



181 

Companies, however, succeeded in gaining a block house 
which stood below the mill. The loss of the Americans in 
these attacks was 1 04 killed and wounded, while that of the 
British was reported by them at 1 killed and 4G wounded. 
Amonc: the wounded on the side ot" the Americans were 
Captain McPherson and Lieutenant Lnrabee of the Artil- 
lery ; Lieutenants Creen and Parker of the Intimtry and 
Lieutenant Kerr of the Rifles. Lieutenant Parker was 
struck by a. random shot. He survived his wounds for sev- 
eral days, and expressed a most sincere regret that he had 
not-fallen in close action : "Hard is my lot," he exclaimed, 
"that I should have received this wound at such a distance 
from the enemy, and where I was wholly inactive." Cap- 
tain McPherson, on the contrary, was wounded while fighting 
at the head of his men, and, at the time, was not expected 
to recover. As they were bearing him from the field, sever- 
al officers offered their personal services to carry him to 
Plattsburgh. The gallant captain paused a few moments 
and then, thanking them for the interest and regard they had 
manifested, added " I shall be sufficiently honored when 
you bear me to my grave." The same spirit of firmness 
was shown by the other officers, and by the wounded and 
bleeding privates. Lieut. Larabee, when some persons were 
pitying his misfortune, as he was passing to the rear of the 
field, exclaimed, " Have you never seen a man die." A pri- 
vate, on receiving similar sympathy, cried, " Never mind it, 
rilgive them another fight." Another private, when struck 
down, cried out, " Give it to them, my boys, never flinch." 

At the commencement of the assault a few cannon shots 
and several rockets were fired from a sloop, and from some 
gun-boats lying in the river below, but the fire was 
not continued, as it was soon ascertained that the American 
troops were perfectly protected by the intervening ground.* 
About sundown Wilkinson called in the dctachnipnts which 

*Late in the day Lieutenant Creswick, of the Royal Navy, succeeded in landing 
two field pieces and getting them to the block-house, but they were not fired during 
■ the engagement. 



182 

had been sent to the north side of the river, and shortly af- 
terwards retired with the whole army to Odletown. The 
next day he returned to Champlain. From this place Gen- 
eral Macomb was sent to Burlington, while the main army 
fell back upon Chazy and Plattsburgh, to protect the milita- 
ry stores at the latter place.* 

On the 9th of May, Captain Pring of the British navy as- 
cended the Richelieu in the brig Linnet, accompanied by 
five sloops and thirteen row-galleys, and the next da}^ came 
to anchor under Providence Island, t where he remained un- 
til the evening of the 13th. Macdonough was at this time 
at Vergennes, on Otter Creek, busily engaged in fitting out 
the American fleet, which lay at that place. As soon as he 
was intbrmed that the British flotilla had entered the lake, 
he ordered Lieutenant Cassin, with a small party of sailors, 
to reinforce Captain Thornton, who had been sent from 
Burlington with a detachment of light Artillery to man a 
battery which had been erected at the mouth of Otter 
Creek. A brigade of the Vermont Militia were also ordered 
out, and were advantageously posted to oppose the enemy, 
in case he should attempt to land. 

At day-break on the morning of the 14th, eight of the 
British galleys and a bomb sloop anchored off" the mouth of 
Otter Creek and commenced a warm fire upon the battery, 
which was promptly returned. A brisk cannonade was 
kept up by both parties for one hour and a hall', when the 
attack was abandoned. 

After this repulse the galleys entered the Bouquet River, 
and ascended that stream tor the purpose of seizing some 
Government flour, which had been deposited in the grist- 
mill at the Falls. On their return, the boats were fired into 

*This account of the aifair at La Colle is derived from ttie testimony of Bissell, 
Macomb, Clark, Totten, McPherson and others before the Court Martial, on the trial 
of General Wilkinson, in January 1815, and from the official report of Adj. General 
Baynes of the British army . 

tThis is one of the small islands lying near the south end of Grand Island, op- 
posite Yalcour. 



183 

by a company of militia who had hastily collected on the 
south bank of the river near its mouth. This fire killed or 
wounded nearly all the men in the rear galley. The boat 
afterwards drifted into the lake, and was towed off by small 
boats sent to its assistance. The galleys then joined the 
Brig and the three sloops, which, during the attack on the 
battery, had remained at anchor near the "Four Brothers." 
On the 16th Captain Bring returned to Isle Aux Noix. A 
few days afterwards Macdonough brought his fleet out of Ot- 
ter Creek, and on the 29th cast anchor in Cumberland Bay, 
ofFPlattsburgh. 

During the summer, the British and Americans were ac- 
tively engaged in strengthening their positions along the 
Champlain frontier. Large reinforcements joined the army 
at Plattsburgh, while the garrisons at Chambly, St. Johns 
and Isle Aux Noix were increased by detachments of troops 
drawn from Montreal and Quebec. Major General Izard, 
who had succeeded to the command on the withdrawal of 
Wilkinson, was directed to erect a heavy batteiy at Rouse's 
Point, to guard the entrance from the Richelieu into the lake. 
Considering the occupation of that ])oint hazardous, from its 
proximity to the enemy's posts at La Colie and Isle Aux 
Noix, he objected to erecting works there, and instead, caused 
a battery of four eighteen pounders and a large redoubt to 
be constructed on Cumberland Head.* 

On the 11th of June, a light brigade, under command of 
General Smith, Forsyth's Regiment of Riflemen, and two 
companies of Artillery were encamped near the mouth of 
Dead Creek, about two miles north of the village of Platts- 
burgh. These troops advanced as far as Chazy on the 17th, 
and on the 27th occupied the village of Champlain. Smith's 
brigade was 1400 strong. At the latter date. Colonel Pierce^ 
of the 13th Regiment, was at Chazy with 800 men, and 

*The works on Cumberland Head were commenced in opposition to the views of 
Colonel Totten, who considered they would not impede or materially injure a pass- 
ing fleet. They proved useless, and were abandoned on the first approach of the 
British. 



1S4 

about 1200 men occupied the works on Cumberland Heaci, 
at Dead Creek and in the village of Plattsburgh. Macdon- 
ough's fleet lay at anchor in King's Bay. The British then 
held La Colle with a force of 3G00 men. They also had 
strong garrisons at Isle Aux Noix and St. Johns. Huron's 
Regiment, 1000 strong, was at L'Acadie, two brigades of 
Artillery and 300 Cavalry at Chambly, and 2000 regulars at 
Montreal. Their fleet lay at Isle Aux Tetes. 

On the 24th of June, Lieutenant Colonel Forsyth, with 70 
of his Riflemen, penetrated into Canada, as far as Odletown, 
where he was attacked by a detachment of two hundred 
British light troops. Forsyth returned to Champlain, with 
the loss of one killed and five wounded. A few days after- 
wards, he was ordered again to enter Canada, for the pur- 
pose of ch'awing the British across the lines, into an ambus- 
cade. He advanced a few men on the main road leading 
to Odletown, who soon met a party of the enemy, when 
they retreated, closely pursued by about one hundred and fif- 
ty Canadians and Indians, under command of Captain Ma- 
hew, until they reached a point about half a mile south of the 
lines, where the main body of the Rifles lay concealed. As 
the enemy 'approached the ambuscade. Colonel Forsyth 
stepped upon a log to watch their movements. He had 
scarcely taken this exposed position, when he was shot down 
by an Indian ; the ball passing through his breast. The 
Rifles immediately uncovered and fired upon the enemy, 
who retreated in great haste, leaving seventeen of their num- 
ber dead upon the field.* 

A few days afterwards, Captain Nelson, of the 10th In- 
fantry, crossed into Canada with a small detachment, sur- 
prised a British picket in Odletown, took some of them pri- 
soners and put the rest to flight. Skirmishes were very fre- 

*Forsyth was the best partisan oflScer in the army. His men declared that they 
would avenge his death and a few days after crossed the lines and shot Captain Ma- 
hew, who commanded the Canadians and Indians at the time of Forsyth's death. 
Captain Mahew was taken to the residence of Judge Moore in Ohamplain, where he 
lingered about a week and died. 



185 

quent along the borders, during the months of July and 
August, although seldom attended with any considerable 
loss to either side. 

On the 31st of July, Macomb's brigade, consisting of the 
6th, 13th, loth, IGth anct 29th Regiments, set out in boats 
trom Cumberland Head, for Chazy landing. The same day 
Bissell's brigade, of the 5th, 14th, 30th, 31st, 33d, 34th, and 
45th Regiments, started for Chazy by land. This movement 
placed three brigades, in all 4500 strong, at and in rear of 
the village of Champlain. The invalids and 200 effectives 
of Macomb's brigade were left behind, to finish the works at 
Cumberland Head, and a working party of about 400 strong, 
of Bissell's brigade, was left at Plattsburgh, under Colonel 
Fenwick, to complete three redoubts which had been com- 
menced near that village. 

In the month of August, Sir George Provost repaired to 
the Isle Aux Noix, where he had concentrated a large body 
of men, including several veteran regiments who had late- 
ly distinguished themselves on the banks of the Adour and 
the Garronnc. Every thing now indicated that a battle was 
soon to be fought on the Champlain frontier, which would 
decide the fate of the campaign, and the control of the whole 
country bordering on the Lake. It was at this moment that 
the Government determined to remove the troops from Lake 
Champlain, and to abandon the large amount of military 
stores and provisions collected at Plattsbprgh, the lives and 
property of its citizens, and the great military key of the north- 
ern and eastern States to the protection of a few raw, worn- 
out, sick or disabled men. This strange movement evinced 
a reckless indifference on the part of the Government, as to 
the result of the War in this quarter.* 

General Izard strongly protested against the removal of 
the troops, and repeatedly represented to the war department 
the fatal results that might be expected from such a move- 
ment. As late as the 20th of August, he writes the Secretary 

♦See Appendix. 

26 



186 

of War, as follows : "I must not be responsible for the conse- 
quences of abandoning my present strong position. I will 
obey orders and execute them as well as I know how. Ma- 
jor General Brisbane commands at Odletown ; he is said to 
have between five and six thousand men wiih him. Those 
at Chambly are stated to be about four thousand." On the 
23d, he again writes that he has decided to move west, by 
way of Lake George and Schenectady, with 4000 men, 
leaving the sick and convalescents, and about 1200 men, to 
garrison Platlsburgh and Cumberland Head, under command 
of Brigadier General Macomb. 

Receiving no counter orders Izard, on the 29lh of 
August, left Champlain and Chazy with the 4th, 5th, 10th, 
12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, IGihand 45th, Infantry, the light artil- 
lery armed as Infantry and the dragoons, and slowly and 
reluctantly moved towards the west. On the 3d of Sep- 
tember his corps reached Lake George where they remained 
two days, anxiously expecting orders to return to Platts- 
burgh. No such orders arrived, and Izard again put his col- 
umn in motion. On the 7th he reached Schenectady, from 
which place he urged on more rapidly towards the west. 

As soon as Izard left. General Macomb concentrated his 
whole force at Piatt sburgh, where he commenced imme- 
diate preparations to resist an attack. From the returns of 
the 28th of August, it appears that on that day he had the 
following troops within the limits of his command : 

Detachments of the Regiments and Corps 
that marched 77 

Capt. Leonard's Company of Light Artillery,. . . . 100 

Capt. McGLissin's Company, 15th Reg\ 50 

The 6th, 29th, 30th, 31st, 33d and 34th Regi- 
ments, reported from the aggregate present on 

the 31st July, 1771 

Capt Sproul's Detachment ot 13th Regt 200 

Sick and invahds of the Regiments and 
Corps that left 803 

Aggregate , 3001 



187 

There were two veteran compnnies of Artillery un- 
der Captnin Alexander Brodks, which were omitted in the 
return. Two hundred and fifty Infantry were also on board 
the fleet, doing duly as marines. This brought the whole 
force to about 3400 men, of whom over 1400 were invalids or 
non combatants.* With this force Macomb prepared to re- 
sist the advance of fourteen thousand veteran British soldiers. 



*GeneriiI Macomb in his detailed report of tlie battle of Plattsburgh says, " Ex- 
cept the four Companies of the 6th regiment, I had not an organized battalion 
among those remaining ; the garrison was composed of convalescents and the re- 
cruits of the new regiments — all in the greatest confusion, as well as the ordinanw 
Andstofes ; and the works in no state of defence." 



CHAPTER XII. 

Sir George Provost invades the United States — Preparations at Plattsburgh to resist 
his advance — Description of the American Forts &c. The British encamp at 
Cbaxy — Battle of Beeiimantown — Provost's position on the north banks of the 
Saranac — Captain McClassin attaclis a British battery — American and British 
force on the lake — Naval engagement otf Plattsburgh — Battle of Plattsburgh — 
Provost retreats to Canada — The Peace. 

General Izard abandoned the camp at Champlain on the 
29th of" August, and the next day Major General Brisbane 
advanced his division from Odletown to that place. On the 
3d of September fourteen thousand British troops were col- 
lected at Champlain. This force was composed of four 
troops of the 19th light dragoons, 300 men ; two companies 
Royal Artillery, 400 men ; one brigade of rocketeers, twen- 
ty-five men ; one brigade Royal Sappers and Miners, sev- 
enty-five men ; the first brigade of Infantry, consisting of the 
first battalion of the 27th Regiment, the 58th and 5th, and 
the 3rd or Buffs, in all 3,700 men, under command of Major 
General Robinson ; the second brigade, formed by the 88th 
and 39tli, and the third battalions of the 27th and 76th, in 
all 3,600 men, under Major General Powers ; the third bri- 
gade, composed of the second battalion of the 8th or King's, 
and the l8th, 49th and 6th, 3100 men, under Major Gener- 
al Brisbane. There was also a light brigade 2,800 strong, 
composed ofMuron's Swiss Regiment ; the Canadian Chas- 
seurs, the Voltiguers and the frontier light Infantry. The 
whole was under Sir George Provost, Governor General of 
Canada ; Lieutenant General De Rottenburgh being second 
in command. 



189 

On the 4th, the main body reached Chazy village, and 
the next night, encamped near Sampson's, about eight miles 
from the village of Flattsburgh. At the same time Captain 
Pring, with a number of gun-boats, moved up the lake as 
far as Isle La Motte, and erected a battery of three long 18 
pounders on the vilest side of that Island, to cover the land- 
ing of the supplies for the troops. 

Brigadier General Macomb was now at Plattsburgh ac- 
tively engaged in preparations to resist the expected attack. 
On the 3d of September, he issued a general order detailing 
his plan of defense. '• The troops (says this order) will line 
the parapet in two ranks, leaving intervals for the Artillery. 
A reserve of one fifth of the whole force in Infantry, will be 
detailed and paraded fronting the several angles, which it 
will be their particular duty to sustain. To each bastion are 
to be assigned, by the several commanders of forts, a sut- 
ficient number of Infantry to line all the faces (in single 
rank) of each tier. Should the enemy gain the ditch, the 
front rank of the part assailed will mount the parapet and 
repel him with its fire and bayonet. If the men of this rank 
are determined, no human force can dispossess them of that 
position." 

The American works were built upon an elevated plain, 
l3dng between the banks of the river Saranac and Lake Cham- 
plain. The river descends from the west until it approaches 
within about one hundred and sixty rods of the lake, and then 
turns towards the north and runs about one mile, in a northeast- 
erly direction, to the lake. The land between the river and 
lake, at this point, is nearly in the shape of a right angled 
triangle ; the perpendicular being formed by the lake shore. 
About eighty rods above the mouth of the river, and near 
the center of the village, is the "lower bridge," and about 
one mile higher up, following the course of the stream, was 
another bridge, on the road leading south to Salmon River, 
called the " upper bridge." One mile and a half above this 



190 

bridge is a ford ot" the river.* The stream can also be ford- 
ed at the bridges, and at a ])oint about midway between 
them. The south bank of the river, above the vlliiige, is 
from fifty to sixty feet high, and steep. About sixty 
rods above the " lower bridge" is a deep ravine, running 
back from the river and extending nearly to the lake shore. 
The principal work, called Fort Moreau, stood opposite the 
bend of the river, and about half way between it and the 
lake. It w^as three fourths of a mile south of the lower 
bridge. A redoubt, called Fort Bnnvn, stood on the bank 
of the river, directly opposite the bend, and about filty rods 
west of Fort Moreau. There was another redoubt to the 
east of Fort Moreau, near the bank of the lake, called Fort 
Scott. On the point, near the mouth of the nver, was a block- 
house and battery. Another block-house stood on the south 
side of the ravine, about half way between the river and the 
lake. The defense of Fort Moreau was entrusted to Colon- 
el Melancton Smith, who had for its garrison the 29th and 
6th Regiments. Lieutenant Colonel Storrs was stationed in 
Fort Brown, with detachments of the 30th and 31st, and 
Major Vinson in Fort Scott, with the 33d and 34th. The 
block-house, near the ravine, was entrusted to Captain Smith 
of the iJifles, and had for its defense a part of his Company 
and of the convalescents of one of the absent Regiments. 
The block-house on the point was garrisoned by a detach- 
ment of Artillery, under Lieutenant Fowler. The light ar- 
tillery were ordered to take such position as would best an- 
noy the enemy. When not employed they were to take post 
in the ravine, with the light troops. 

As soon as the British had advanced to Chazy village, 
Captain Sproul was ordered by General Macomb, with two 
hundred men, of the 13th, and two field pieces, to take posi- 
tion near the Dead Creek bridge, and toabattis the road be- 
yond, while Lieutenant Colonel AppUng was stationed in 

♦This ford is near the spot where General Pike encamped in 1812. The buildiags 
were burned by Colonel Murray in 1813. 



191 

advance, with one hundred and ten riflemen, and a troop 
of New York State Cavahy, under Captian Safford and 
Lieutenant M. M, Standish, to watch the movements of llie 
enemv. Macomb also made arrangements with Major Gen- 
eral iNfooers for calling out the New York Militia, and 
addressed a letter to Governor Chittenden, of Vermont, 
requesting aid from tiiat State. On the 4th, seven hundred 
of the Clinton and Essex Mihtia had collected at PJatts- 
burgh.* They were advanced the next day about five miles 
on the north road, and lay during the night in the vicinity of 
the present Stone Church in Beekmantown. The militia were 
directed to watch the enemy, skirmish with him as he ad- 
vanced, break up the bridges and obstruct the road with 
fallen trees. x 

On the 5th, as we have already stated, the British occu- 
pied a position near Sampson's, on the lake road. The 
trcwps were there divided into two coluinns, and moved to- 
wards the village of Plattsburgh on the morning of the 6th, 
before day-light ; the right column crossing over to the 
Beekinaniowii road ; the left following the lake road leading 
to the Dead Creek bridge. The right column was composed 
of iMajor General Powers' brigade, supported by four com- 
panies of light Infantry and a demi-brigade under Major Gen- 
eral Robinson. The left was led by Major General Bris- 
bane's brigade. Information of this contemplated movement 
having reached General Macomb on the evening of the 5th, 
he ordered Major Wool, with a detachment of two hundred 
and fifty men, to advance on the Beekmantown road to the 
support the militia. Captain Leonard, of the light Artillery, 
was also directed to be on the ground, bef"ure day -light, with 
two field pieces. 

The right column of the British advanced more rapidly 
than the left, and, at an early hour, met Major Wool's de- 
tachment and the militia, who had taken a position near the 

♦Tliese belonged to Colonel Thomas Miller's and Colonel Joiner's regiments. 
Major Sfluford's battalion and the 37th regiment. 



192 

residence ot" Ira Howe, in Beekmantown. Wool's party 
opened a brisk fire of musketry upon the head of the British 
column as it approached, severely wounding Lieutenant 
West of the 3d Buffs, and about twenty privates. Near 
this place Goodspeed and Jay, two men of Captain Atwood's 
company of militia, were wounded and taken prisoners. — 
Wool, with his men, now fell back as far as Culver's Hill, 
four and a half miles from the village, where he awaited the 
approach of the British. He was supported by a few of the 
militia who had been rallied by their ofRcers, but the 
greater portion had retreated precipitately, after the first 
fire near Howe's. The resistance at Culver's Hill was in- 
trepid but momentary, tor the British troops pressed firmly 
forward, occupying the whole road, and only returning the 
fire by their flanks and leading platoons, the latter of whom 
were once driven to the base of the hill, after having reached 
its summit. At this point, Lieutenant Colonel Willington, of 
the 3d Buffs, fell as he was ascending the hill at the head of his 
Regiment. Ensign Chapman of the same Regiment was al- 
so killed there, and Captain Westropp, of the o8th, severely 
wounded. Several of the Americans were killed, including 
Patridge of the Essex militia. 

Learning that a large body of the British were advancing 
on a parallel road, leading from Beekmantown Corners, to 
gain his rear. Wool fell back as far as " Halsey's Corners," 
about one and a half miles from the village bridge. He was 
there joined, about eight o'clock in the morning, by Captain 
Leonard with two pieces of light artillery. Leonard placed 
his guns in battery at an angle in the road, masked by 
Wool's Infantry and a small body of militia, and as the 
British approached opened a most galling fire upon the head 
of the column ; the balls cutting a narrow and bloody lane 
through the moving mass. Three times were the guns dis- 
charged, but even this terrible fire did not check the pro- 
gress of the column, for the men, throwing aside their knap- 
sacks, pressed forward, the bugles sounding the charge, and 



193 

forced Leonard hastily to withdraw towards the vil- 
lage. At this place, a number of the British were killed or 
wounded. Among the latter was Lieutenant Kingsbury of 
the 3rd Buffs, who was taken into the adjoining farm-house 
of Lsaac C. Piatt Esqr., where he soon afterwards died. 

Finding that the enemy's right column was steadily ap" 
proaching the village, General Macomb ordered in the de- 
tachments at Dead Creek ; at the same time directing Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Apphng to fall on the British flank. The 
rapid advance of the column on the Beekmantown road had 
reversed Appling's position, and he bad barely time to save 
his retreat, coming in a few rods ahead, as the British de- 
bouched from the woods a little north of the village. Here 
he poured in a destructive fire from his Riflemen at rest, and 
continued to annoy the enemy, until he formed a junction 
with Wool, who was slowly retiring towards the lower 
bridge. The field pieces were taken across the bridge and 
formed a battery for its protection, and to cover the retreat of 
Wool's, Appling's, and Sproul's men. These detachments 
retired alternately, keeping up a brisk fire until they got un- 
der cover of the works. 

The left column of the British army did not arrive near 
the village, until after Sproul's and Appling's detachments 
had been withdrawn ; their march having been retarded by 
the obstructions placed in the road, and by the removal of 
the bridge at Dead Creek. As this column passed along the 
beach of the lake, it was much annoyed by a brisk fire from 
several galleys, which Macdonough had ordered to the head 
of the bay. After this fire had continued for about two 
hours, the wind began to blow so heavy from the south as 
to endanger the safety of the galleys. Mr. Duncan, a mid- 
shipman of the Saratoga, was therefore sent in a gig to or- 
der them to return. As that officer approached, he received 
a severe wound from the enemy's fire, which for a few min- 
utes was concentrated upon his boat.* About this time one 

*0n the 26th of May 1826, Congress passed a resolution of thanks to Midship ' 
BBtan Silas Dancan for his gallant conduct on thie occasioii. 

20 



194 

of the galleys drifted under the guns of the British and sus- 
tained some loss, but was eventually brought off. 

As soon as the American troops had crossed the river, the 
plank were removed from the lower bridge, and were piled 
up at its east end, to form a breast- work for the Infantry. 
A similar breast-work was made by the Militia, at the up- 
per bridge. The British light troops made several attempts, 
in the course of the day, to cross at the village, but were re- 
pulsed by the guards at the bridge, and by the sharp fire of 
a Company of Volunteers who had taken possession of a 
stone grist-mill near by.* An attempt was also made to cross 
at the upper bridge, which was gallantly resisted by the 
Militia. The loss this day, on both sides, was greater than 
the whole loss during the rest of the siege ; forty-five of the 
Americans, and more than two hundred British having been 
killed or wounded. t 

The configuration of the land, on the north side of the 
river, differs somewhat from that on the southside. The 
bank at the mouth of the river is abrupt and about thirty 
feet high. This bank, with a depression above the lower 
bridge, opposite the mill pond, follows the margin of the 
stream, until within about eighty rods of Fort Brown, when 
the hill recedes from the river, and is less abrupt. The flat 
and hill opposite Fort Brown were covered with small trees 
and bushes. About one mile back from the river is an ele- 



*This Company was called "Aiken's Volunteers" and was composed of the fol- 
lowing young men — none of whom were old enough to be liable to perform Milita- 
ry duty : Maitin J. Aiken, Azariah C. Flagg, Ira A. Wood, Gustavus A. Bird, 
James Trowbridge, Hazen Mooers, Henry K. Averill, St. John B. L. Skinner, Fred- 
erick P. Allen, Hiram Walworth, Ethan Everest, Amos Soper, James Patten, Bar- 
temus Brooks, Smith Batcmen, Melancton W. Travis and Flavius Williams. They 
had been out on the Beekmantown road in the morning, where they behaved with 
great gallantry. In May, 182G, Congress authorized the President to cause to be 
delivered to each, " One Rifle promised to them by General Macomb, while com- 
manding the Champlaia Department, for their gallantry and patriotic services as a 
Volunteer corps, during the siege of Plattsburgh in September 1814 " 

fGeneral Macomb, in his general order of the 7th, estimates the British loss at 
from two to three hundred. The " Burlington Sentinel" of the 9th states it to have 
been about three hundred. 



195 

vated ridge running to the north. At Allen's farm-house, 
which stood upon this ridge at the distance of about one and 
one fourth mile from the American forts, Sir George Pro- 
vost estabhshed his head-quarters. The army were en- 
camped upon the ridge, and on the high ground north of the 
village. 

From the 7th to the 10th, Provost was busily engaged in 
bringing up his battering trains and supplies, and in prepar- 
ing his approaches. He erected a battery on the bank of 
the lake north of the mouth of the river ; another near the 
edge of the steep bank above the mill-pond ; another near 
the burial ground, and one, supplied with rocket works, on 
the hill opposite Fort Brown. Besides these, there were 
three smaller batteries erected at other points, within range 
of the American forts. 

While Provost was thus engaged, the American troops 
were diligently at work, day and night, in strengthening 
their defenses. The barracks and hospitals in the vicinity 
of the forts were burned, and the sick removed to Crab Is- 
land, about two miles distant, where they were protected 
from the weather by tents. A small battery was erected on 
that Island, mounting two six pounders, which was manned 
by convalescents. The Americans also, during this time, 
fired hot shot into and burned some fifteen or sixteen build- 
ings, on the north side of the river, which had afforded pro- 
tection to the British light troops.* 

From the 7th to the 10th, the pickets and Mihtia were 
engaged in frequent skirmishes with the enemy at 
the two bridges, and at the different fords along the river. 
On the morning of the 7th, a party of British, under Cap- 
tain Noadie, attempted to cross the river, at a ford about five 
miles west of the village. They were, however, met by a 

*The "Burlington Sentinel," says that up to the evening of the 8th, the follow- 
ing buildings had been burned : Jonathan Griffin's house and store ; Hoswell Wait's 
house and store ; Mr. Savage's house ; B. Buck's house ; Mr. Powers' store ; Wi- 
dow Beaumont's house and store ; Charles Backus' house and store, Joseph Tho- 
mas' two stores and Mr. Goldsmith's house. The Court House and Jail were also 
burned. 



196 

Company of Colonel Miller's Regiment of Militia, under 
command of Captain Vaughan, and were repulsed with a 
loss of two killed and several wounded. The same day 
Lieutenant RunU, of the 6th, was mortally wounded, as he 
was passing in the street, near the present dwelling of A. C. 
Moore, Esq. 

On the night of the 9th, while the British were engaged in 
erecting their rocket battery near Fort Brown, Captain Mc- 
Glassin of the 15th Infentry, obtained permission from Gen- 
eral Macomb to take a party of fifty men and attack a de- 
tachment of British troops at work upon the batlery. The 
night was dark and stormy and favored such an enterprise. 
Ordering his men to take the flints from their muskets, Mc- 
Glassin crossed the river, and passing through a small clump 
of dwarf oaks, reached, unobserved, the foot of the hill up- 
on which the enemy were at work. There he divided his 
force into two parties, one of which was sent, by a circuit- 
ous route, to the rear of the battery. As soon as this party 
had reached its position, McGlassin, in a loud voice, order- 
ed his men to charge " on the front and rear," when they 
rushed forward, with all the noise it was possible for them 
to make, and entered the work at both sides on the run. The 
working party were taken by surprise, and supposing them- 
selves attacked by overwhelming numbers, retreated precip- 
itately towards the main camp. McGlassin spiked the guns 
and led his party back to the American fort without losing a 
man. The whole affair was boldly conceived and most gal- 
lantly executed. It was long before the British officers would 
believe that fifty men could make so much noise, or so badly 
frighten over three hundred of their veteran troops. 

When the British army reached Plattsburgh, their gun- 
boats had advanced as far as the Isle La Motte, where they 
remained, under command of Captain Pring. On the 8th 
Captain Downie reached that place with the rest of the fleet, 
and on the morning of the 11th, the whole weighed an- 



197 

chor and stood south to attack the Americans, who lay in 
the Bay, offPlattsburgh. 

As the British vessels rounded Cumberland Head, about 
eio;ht o'clock in the mornino^, thev tound Macdonouoh at an- 
chor a little south of the mouth of the Saranuc river, and 
abreast, but out of gun shot, of the forts. His vessels lay in 
a line running north from Crab Island, and nearly parallel 
with the west shore. The Brig Eagle, Captain Henley, lay 
at the head of the line, inside the point of the Head. This 
vessel mounted twenty guns and had on board one hundred 
and fifty men. Next to her and on the south lay Macdon- 
ough's flag-ship, the Saratoga, mounting twenty-six guns, 
with two hundred and twelve men. Next south was the 
Schooner Ticonderoga, of seventeen guns. Lieutenant Cassin, 
with one hundred and ten men, and next to her, and at the 
southern extremity of the line, lay the Sloop Preble, Lieuten- 
ant Charles Budd. This vessel carried seven guns and was 
manned by thirty men. She lay so near the shoal extend- 
ing north east from Crab Island, as to prevent the enemy 
from turning that end of the line. To the rear of the line 
were ten gun-boats, six of which mounted one long twenty- 
four pounder and one eighteen pound Columbiad each ; the 
other four carried one 12 pounder. The gun-boats had, on 
an average, thirty-five men each. Two of the gun-boats 
lay a little north and in rear of the Eagle, to sustain the 
head of the line ; the others were placed opposite the inter- 
vals between the different vessels, and about forty rods to 
their rear. The larger vessels were at anchor, while the 
gun-boats were kept in position by their sweeps. 

The British fleet was composed of the frigate Conjiance, 
carrying thirty seven guns,* with over three hundred men, 
commanded by Captain Downie ; the Brig Linnet, Captain 
Pring, of sixteen guns and 120 men ; the sloop Chub, Lieu- 
tenant McGhee and the sloop Finch, Lieutenant Hicks, car- 

*There were thirty.niae guns on boajd the Oonfiauce, but two of them were not 
moMLisA,— Cooper. 



198 

rving eleven guns and about forty-five men each. To these ves- 
sels were added twelve gun-boats of about forty-five men each. 
Eight of them carried two guns, and four, one gun each. 
Thus the force of tlie Americans consisted of one ship, one 
brig, one schooner, one sloop, and ten gun-boats, manned 
by eight hundred and eighty-two men, and carrying in all 
eighty-six guns. The British had one frigate, one brig, two 
sloops and twelve gun-boats, manned by over one thousand 
men, and carrying in all ninety-five guns. The metal of the 
vessels on both sides was unusually heavy. The Saratoga 
mounted eight long twenty-fours, six forty-twos, and twelve 
thirty twos, while the Confiance had the gun-deck of a hea- 
vy frigate, with thirty long twenty-fours upon it. She also 
had a spacious top gallant forecastle, and a poop that came 
no further forward than the mizen mast. On the first were 
a long twenty-four on a circle, and four heavy carronades ; 
two heavy carronades were mounted on the poop.* 

When the British fleet appeared in sight the Finch led 
and kept in a course toward Crab Island, while the other 
vessels hove to opposite the point of Cumberland Head, to 
allow the gun-boats to come up, and to receive final instruc- 
tions as to the plan of attack. The vessels then filled and 
headed in towards the American fleet, passing inside of the 
point of Cumberland Head ; the Chub laying her course a 
little to windward of the Eagle, in order to support the Lin- 

*Cooper's Naval History. Mr. Alison, (in his History of England, vol. 4.) says : 
" The relative strength of the squadron on this, as in every other naval action dur- 
ing the War, where the British were defeated, was decidedly in favor of the Ameri- 
cans" — a statement unwarranted by the facts, and unnecessary to sustain the high 
reputation of the British Navy. The following are the number and size of the guna 
used on both fleets. 

AMERICAN. BRITISH. 



14, long 24 pounders. 

(), 42 pound carronades. 
29, 32 " 

12, long 18 pounders. 
12, long 12 

7, long 9 

G, 18 pound Columbiads. 



86 guns. 



',51, long 24 pounders. 

7, 18 

16, 12 

5, C " 

12, 32 pound Carronades. 

G, 24 " 
17,18 « 

1, 18 pound Columbiad. 

95 guns. 



199 

net, which stood directly towards that vessel. Captain 
Downie had determined to lay the Confiancc athwart the 
Saratoga, but the wind baffling, he was obliged to anchor at 
about two cables length from that ship. The Finch, which 
had run about halfway to Crab Island, tacked and took her 
station, with the gun-boats, opposite the Ticonderoga and 
Preble. 

As the British vessels approached they received the fire of 
the American fleet ; the Brig Eagle firing first, and being 
soon followed by the Saratoga and the sloop and schooner.* ' 
The Linnet poured her broad side into the Saratoga, as she 
passed that ship to take her position opposite the Eagle. 
Captain Downie brought his vessel into action in the most 
gallant manner, and did not fire a gun until he was perfectly 
secured, although his vessel suffered severely from the fire 
of the Americans. As soon however as the Confiance had 
been brought into position, she discharged all her larboard 
guns, at nearly the same instant. The effect of this broad- 
side, thrown from long twenty-four pounders, double shotted, 
in smooth water, was terrible. The Saratoga trembled to 
her very keel ; about forty of her crew were disabled, in- 
cluding her first Lieutenant, Mr. Gamble, who was killed 
while sighting tlie bow gun. 

Soon after the commencement of the engagement the 
Chub, while manoeuverino^ near the head of the American 
line, received a broadside from the Eagle, which so crippled 
her that she drifted down between the opposing ves- 
sels and struck. She was taken possession of by Mr. 
Charles Piatt, one of the Saratoga's midshipman, and was 
towed inshore and anchored. The Chub had suffered se- 

*The first gun fired on board the Saratoga was a long twenty-four, which Mac- 
donough himself sighted. The shot is said to have struck the Confiance near the 
outer hawse-hole, and to have passed the length of her deck, killing and wounding 
several men, and carrying away the wheel. In clearing the decks of the Saratoga, 
•some hen coops were thrown overboard and the poultry permitted to run at large. 
Startled by the report of the opening gun of the Eagle, a young cook flew upon a gun 
;3lide, clapped his wings and crowed. The men gave three cheers and considered 
the little incidence as a happy omen. — Cooper's Naval History and Niles^ Register. 



200 

verely ; nearly half of her men havuig been killed orwounri-- 
ed. About an hour later the Finch was driven from her po- 
sition by the Ticonderoga, and, being badly injured, drifted 
upon the shoal near Crab Island, where she grounded. Af- 
ter being fired into from the small battery on the Island, she 
struck and was taken possession of by the invalids who 
manned the battery.* 

After the loss of the Finch, the British gun boats made 
several efforts to close, and succeeded in compelling the 
sloop Preble to cut her cables and to anchor in shore of the 
line, where she was of no more service during the engage- 
mpnt. The gun-boats, emboldened by this success, now di- 
rected their efforts towards the Ticonderoga, against which 
they made several very gallant assaults, bringing the boats, 
upon two or three occasions, within a fe^v feel of the schoon* 
er's side. They were however as often beaten back, and 
the schooner, during the remainder of the day, completely 
covered that extremity of the line. 

While these changes were taking place at the lower end 
of the line, a change was also made at the other extremity. 
The Eagle, having lost her springs and finding herself ex- 
posed to the fire of both the Linnet and Confiance, dropped 
down and anchored between the Saratoga and Ticondero- 
ga, and a little in shore of both. From this position she 
opened afresh on the Confiance and the British gun-boat&, 
with her larboard guns. This change relieved the Brig, but 
left the Saratoga exposed to the whole fire of the Linnet, 

*Mr. Alison, (History of England, vol. 4,) referring to this event says, " The 
Finch, a British Brig, grounded oul! of shot anddid not engage >" and again, " The 
Finch struck on a reef of rocks and could not get into action." Had Mr. Alison 
taken the trouble to read Captain Pring's official account of the engagement he 
•would have found in it, the following statement ; " Lfeutenant Hicks, of the Finch, 
had the mortification to strike on a reef of rocks, to the eastward of Crab Island, 
about the middle of the engagement, which prevented his rendering that assistance 
to the squadron, that might from an oflRcer of such ability, have been expected." 
It is very convenient for the English historian to convert a small sloop of eleven, 
guns and forty men into a Brig, and to keep that large vessel out of the action a}-» 
together, but, as I have before said, such statements are unnecessary to preserve th» 
well earned reputatioiv of the Britkh navy for bravery 6r gallantry in actiom 



201 

which sprung her broadsides in such a manner as to rake 
the ship on her bows. 

The fire from the SaratoGja and Confinnce now bef-an ma- 
terinlly to lessen, as gun afier gun on both vessels became 
disabled, until at last the Saratoga had not a single availa- 
ble gun, and the Coniiance was but little better off! It there- 
fore became necessar3r that both vessels should wind, to 
continue the action with an}^ success. This the Saratooa did 
after considerable delay, but the Confiance was less fortun- 
ate, as the only effect of her efforts was to force the vessel 
ahead. As soon as the Saratoga came around she poured a 
fresh broadside ffom her larboard guns into the Confiance, 
which stood the fire for a few minutes and then struck. The 
ship then brought her guns to bear on the Linnet, whicli 
surrendered in about fifteen minutes afterwards. At this 
time the British gun-boats lay half a mile in the rear, 
where they had been driven by the sharp fire of the Ticon- 
deroga and Eagle. These boats lowered their colors as 
soon as they found the larger vessels had submitted, but not 
being pursued, for the American gun-boats were sent to aid 
the Confiance and Linnet which were reported to be in a sink- 
ing condition, they escaped together with a store sloop which 
lay near the point of Cumberland Head during the battle. 

The engagement continued for two hours and a half, and 
was the most severely fought naval battle of the war. The 
Saratoga had twenty-eight men killed and twenty-nine 
wounded ; the Eagle thirteen killed and twenty wounded j 
the Ticonderoga six killed and six wounded, and the Preble 
two killed. The loss on the gun-boats was three killed and 
three wounded. Total killed and wounded, one hundred 
and ten, being equal to every eighth man in the fleet. Be- 
sides, the Saratoga had been hulled fifty-five times and was 
twice on fire ; the Eagle was hulled thirty-nine times. The 
carnage and destruction had been as great on the other side. 
The Confiance had forty-one men killed and eighty-three 

wounded ; the Linnet reported her casualities at ten killed 

27 



202 

and fourteen wounded, but the killed and wounded proba- 
bly exceeded fifty ; the Chub was reported at six killed 
and ten wounded, and the Finch at two wounded. No ac- 
count is given of the loss on the gun-boats, but, from their 
close and severe contest with the Ticonderoga, it must have 
been laro-e. The total of killed and wounded on the British 
side was equal to at least one fifth of the whole number of men 
in their fleet. The Confiance had been hulled one hundred and 
five times. So severe had been the contest, that at the close 
of the action there was not a mast in either fleet fit for use.* 
Among those killed on the side of the British were Captain 
Downic, who fell soon after the action commenced, Captam 
Alexander Anderson, of the Marines, Midshipman William 
Gunn of the Confiance, and Lieutenant William Paul and 
Boatswain Charles Jackson of the Linnet. Among the 
wounded were Midshipman Lee of the Confiance, Midship- 
man John Sinclair of the Linnet, and Lieutenant James 
McGhee, of the Chub. The American officers killed were 
Peter Gamble, 1st Lieutenant of the Saratoga, John Stans- 
bury, 1st Lieutenant of the Ticonderoga, Midshipman 
James M. Baldwin and saihng Master Rogers Carter. Re- 
ferring to the death of three of these officers, Mr. Cooper, in 
his History of the Navy, says : — " Lieutenant Gamble was 
on his knees, sighting the bow-gun, when a shot entered the 
port, spHt the quoin, drove a portion of it against his breast 
and laid him dead on the quarter deck without breaking his 
skin. Fifteen minutes later one of the American shot struck 
the muzzle of a twenty-four on the Confiance, dismounted it, 
sending it bodily inboard against the groin of Captain Dow- 
nie, kilhng him also without breaking the skin. Lieutenant 
Stansbury suddenly disappeared from the bulwarks forward, 

*" I could only look at the enemy's galleys going off, in a shattered condition ; 
for there was not a mast in either squadron that could stand to make sail on ; the 
lower rigging being nearly all shot away, hung down as though it had been just 
placed over the mast heads." — Macdonough's Report of the Battle. "Durmasts, yards, 
and sails were so shattered, that one looked like so many bunches of matches, and 
the other like a bundle of rags." — Letter of Midshipman Lee of tkt Confiance. 



203 

^ 7i- 



while superintending some duty with the springs of the Ti 
conderoga. Two days after the action, his body rose to 
the surface of the water, and it was found that it had been 
cut in two by a round shot." 

It is said that scarcely an individual escaped on board of 
either the Confiance or Saratoga, without some injury. 
Macdonough was twice knocked down ; once by the span- 
ker-boom, which w^as cut in two by a shot and fell upon his 
back, as he was bending his body to sight a gun ; and again 
by the head of a gunner, which was driven against him, and 
knocked him into the scuppers. Mr. Brum, the saiUng-mas- 
ter of the Saratoga, had his clothes torn off by a splinter, 
while winding the ship. Mr. Vallette, acting Lieutenant, 
had a shot-box, on which he was standing, knocked from un- 
der his feet, and he too was once knocked down by the head 
of a seamen. Very few escaped without some accident, 
and it appears to have been agreed on both sides, to call no 
man wounded who could keep out of the hospitnl* Mid- 
shipman Lee of the Confiance, who was wounded in the 
action, thus describes the condition of that vessel. "The 
havoc on both sides is dreadful. I don't think there are 
more than five of our men, out of three hundred, but what 
are killed or wounded. Never was a shower of hail so thick, 
as the shot whistling about our ears. Were you to see my 
jacket, waist-coat and trowsers, you would be as- 
tonished how I escaped as I did, for they are lilerally torn 
all to rags with shot and splinters ; the upper part of my hat 
was also shot away. There is one of our marines who was 
in the Trafalgar action with Lord Nelson, who says it was a 
mere jlea-bke in comparison with this."t 

*Cooper's Naval History. 

■fLetter to his brother, published in Niles' Register, vol. 8. The result of the 
engagement depended, from the first, upon the Saratoga and Confiance . When 
Macdonough anchored his vessel he not only attached springs to the cables, but al- 
so laid a kedge broad off on each bow of the Saratoga, and brought the hawsers in 
upon the two quarters. To this timely precaution he was indebted for the victory, 
for without the larboard hawser he could not have brought his fresh broadside into 
action. 



204 

As soon n~: the Britisli fleet were observed approachirig- 
Cumberland Head, on the morning of the 11th, Sir George 
Provost ordered General Power's brigade, and a part of 
General Robinson's brigade, consisting of four Companies 
.of light Infmtry, and the 3d battalions of the 27th and 7Gth, 
to force the fords of the Saranac, and to assault the Ameri- 
can works. The advance was made, and the batteries were 
opened, the moment the action on the lake commenced. 

The British attempted to cross the river at three points ; 
one at the village bridge, where they were repulsed by the 
Artillery and guards under Captains Brooks, Richards and 
Smith ; one at the upper bridge, where they were foiled by 
the pickets and Riflemen, under Captain Grovenor and 
Lieutenants Hamilton and Smith, supported by a detach- 
ment ofMihtia ; and the third at the lord near "Pike's can- 
tonment," where they were resisted by the New York Mili- 
tia, under Major General Mooers and Brigadier General 
Wright. At this latter point, several Companies succeeded 
in crossing, driving the Militia before them towards Salmon 
River. The British advanced, firing by platoons, but with 
such carelessness of aim as to do but little injury.* At 
Salmon River, the Militia were joined by a large detach- 
ment of the Vermont volunteers, and were soon afterwards 
reinforced by Lieutenant Sumpter, with a party of Artillery 
and a field-piece. Here they rallied and were drawn up to 
meet the attack of the British troops, who were rapidly ap- 
proaching. Just at this moment an officert rode up to the 
ranks, proclaiming the welcome intelligence that the British 
fleet had surrendered. With three hearty cheers the militia 
immediately pressed forward against the enemy, who, 
having been at the same moment recalled, were now rapid- 
ly retiring toward the ford. In their retreat, a Company of 
the 76th lost their way among the thick pines, where they 

*I have conversed with several who boast of their activity during this retreat, and 
who felt a personal interest in the subject at the time, and they all state that the 
^alls, at each volley, struck the pine trees at least fifteen feet from the ground. 

tChancellor Walworth, then Adjttt«,at (Jeneral of Major General Mooers' diyiaion. 



205 

were surrounded and attacked by severrsl Companies of 
Militia and Vermont volunteers. Three Lieutenants and 
twenty-seven men were made prisoners, nnd Captain Pur- 
chase and the rest of the Company killed.* The rest of the 
British detachment regained the narth bank of the Saranac 
without much loss.t 

Although no farther attempt was made to cross the river, 
the British batteries continued their fire upon the American 
works until sun-down. This fire was returnetl by the guns of 
Fort Brown, which were managed during the day with great 
skill, by Captain Alexander Brooks and the corps of veteran 
artillery under his command. 

Sir George Provost had now under his command over 
thirteen thousand troops, more than half of whom had served 
with distinction under Wellington, while the American force 
•did not exceed fifteen hundred regulars, fit for duty, two 
thousand five hundred Vermont volunteers, untier Major 
General Strong, six hundred of wdiom had just arrived, and 
General Wright's brigade of Clinton and Essex Militia, se- 
ven hundred strong, undei- command of Major Genera] 
Mooers. With his superior force. Provost could have forced 
the passage of the Saranac, and have crushed Macomb by 
the mere weight of numbers. But the victory would have 
been attended with great sacrifice of life, and would have 
led to no permanent advantage to the British. Macdonough 
was in command of the lake ; reinforcements of regulars 
w^ere hastening to the support of Macomb ; the Militia were 
rising, en masse, in every quarter, and within two weeks 
Provost would have been surrounded, his supplies from Can- 
ada cut off, and an only alternative left to force his way 

*It is said Captain Purchase was shot down, while waving a white handkerchief 
.over his head, as a notice that he had surrendered. 

fSir George Provost, in his account of the battle, says: " Scarcely had his Majes- 
ty's troops forced a passage across the Saranac aiid ascended tht heights on which 
stand the American it'orks." 4'C. — This would imply that the British had gained 
ground near the forts, but such was not the case. They crossed nearly two miles 
above the forts, and followed the Militia/rom, instead of towards the American 
works. 



206 



hack with the loss of half his army, or to have surrendered. 
Ill a dispatch to Earl Bathurst, after referring to the loss of 
the fleet, he says : "This unlooked for event depriving me 
of the co-operation of the fleet, without which the further 
prosecution of the service was become impracticable, I did 
not hesitate to arrest the course of the troops advancing to 
the attack, because the most complete success would have 
been unavailing ; and the possession of the enemy's works 
ofler(Kl no advantage to compensate for the loss we must 
have sustained in acquiring possession of them." 

This was a just and merited compliment to the skill and 
bravery of the American regulars and militia. The former 
were few in number, but resolute and unflinching. Among 
the latter the greatest enthusiasm now prevailed. They had 
become accustomed to the " smell of powder," and animated 
by the recollection of Macdonough's victory, were ready to 
oppose any force that might attempt the passage of the Sar- 
anac. It is due to the patriotism of the citizens of Vermont, 
to mention the fiict that as soon as Governor Chittenden re- 
ceived information, from General Macomb, of the invasion 
by the enemy, he issued a spirited address caUing on the 
Vermont Militia to rally to the aid of their countrymen on the 
opposite side of the lake. This address was most nobly 
responded to, for when the requisition of the President for a 
reinforcement of two thousand Mihtia to aid General Ma- 
comb, reached the Governor, he replied that the order had 
not only been anticipated, but far exceeded, by the volunta- 
ry enrollment of his fellow citizens. The same enthusiasm 
pervaded the Militia on the New York side. When 
Major General Mooers' orders were received for the 
Militia of Warren and Washington Counties to assemble, 
en masse, and march to the frontier, there appeared, under 
arms, two hundred and fifty men more than had ever mus- 
tered at an inspection or review. 

Acting upon the considerations stated in his dispatch to 
Earl Bathurst, Sir George Provost prepared for an instant 
and hasty retreat. As scon as the sun went down, he dis- 



207 

mantled liis balleries, and, at 9 o'clock at niglil, sent oflMjis 
heavy baggage and artillery, which were quickly followecl 
by the main army ; the rearguard, consisting of a light bri- 
gade, started a little before day break, leaving behind them 
vast quantities of provisions, tents, camp equipage, ammu- 
nition, &c. The sick and wounded were also left behind, 
consigned to the generosity and humane care of General 
Macomb. So silent and rapid was the retreat, that the main 
army had passed through Beekmantown before its absence 
was known in the American camp. The light troops, vol- 
unteers and militia were immediately sent in pursuit. They 
followed the retiring column as far as Chazy, and took a 
few prisoners. The roads were muddy, and very heavy at 
the time, which not only prevented further pursuit, but de- 
layed Provost's retreat. The last of the British army did 
not leave Champlain until the 24th. 

General Macomb, in his returns, states the number of kill- 
ed, wounded and missing of the regular force under his com- 
mand, during the skirmishes and bombardment, at one hun- 
dred and twenty-three. The only commissioned officer 
killed, was Lieutenant George W. Runk, of the tith Regi- 
ment, who was severely wounded on the 7th and died the 
next day. The loss among the volunteers and Militia was 
small. The loss of the British has never been correctly as- 
certained. Their accounts fix the casualities of the expedi- 
tion at under two hundred killed and wounded, and four hun- 
dred lost by desertion. This however is far below the true 
number. At the time, the American officers believed the to- 
tal loss of the British, from the time they first crossed the 
lines until they again entered Canada, in killed, wounded and 
prisoners, and by desertion, was over two thousand men. — 
Seventy-five prisoners were taken.* 

*The following list of British officers killed or wounded during the invasion was 
published in the London Gazette of the 19th and 26th November, 1814. 

Killed. — Captain (Brevet Lieut. Col.) James Willington and Ensign John Chap- 
man, of the 3d BufiFs. Captain John Purchase, 76th Regiment, foot. 

Wounded. — Captain T. Crosse, A. D, C, (slightly) ; Lieut. R. Kingsbury, se- 
verely, (since dead) ; Lieut. John West, (severely) ; Lieutenants Benson and 
Holmes, (sliijhty) ; all of the 3d Buffs. Captain L. Westropp, (severely,) ; Lieut. 
C Brohier and Adjutant Lewis, (slightly) ; of the 58th Regiment, foot. 



208 

On the 12th the Vermont volnnr.eers returned home, and' 
on the K3th the New York Militia were disbanded by Gen- 
eral Macomb, and (Orders issued countermanding the marcb 
of thousands, who were flocking to the frontier. 

On the morning of the 13th of vSeptember, the remains of 
the lamented C^AMSKE, !?>TAXSBrRY, Baldwin, Carter and 
Barron were placed in separate boats, which, manned by 
crews from their respective vessels, proceeded to the Confi- 
ance, where they were joined by the British officers, with 
the bodies of Downie, Anderson, Paul, Gunn and Jack- 
son. At the shoa^e of the lake, the procession was joined by 
a large concourse of the military and citizens of Plattsburgh, 
who accompanied the bodies to the village burial-ground. 
Near the center (tf the grave-yard, beneath the shade of twa 
pines, now rest the ashes of those gallant officers. The sai- 
lors and marines, who fell in the engagement, were buried 
on Crab Island, side by side, in one common grave. 

With the Battle ot Plattsburgh closed all active opera- 
tions upon the Champlain frontier. For several months, 
however, the inhabitants were kept in a state of alarm, as it 
was rumored that the British authorities contemplated an- 
other campaign. Major General Mooer&, of New York, and 
Major General Strong, of Vermont, ordered their respective 
divisions of Militia to hold themselves in readiness for active 
service. General Macomb remained at Plattsburgh with a 
small force, and caused two redoubts to be thrown up a 
short distance to the south of Fort Moreau, which he named- 
Fort Tompkins and Fort Gaines. 

The Treaty of Ghent was signed on the 24th of Decem- 
ber, 1814, and, on the 17lh of February following, was rati- 
fied by the United States Senate. With the publication of 
this Treaty all fears of further hostilities ceased. 



APPENDIX. 



AN ACCOUNT of the Celebration of the Anniversary of the Battle 
of Plattsburgh, by the Citizens of Plattsburgh and the Clinton Co* 
Mi.i.ary Association, September lltb, 1S43. 

At a meeting of the Clinton County Military Asso- 
ciation, held on the 21st of August, 1843, it was, on motion 
of Major A. A. Prescott, 

Resolved, That this Association do celebrate, in some ap- 
propriate manner, the Anniversary of the Battle of Platts- 
burgh, on the eleventh of September next. 

Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to con- 
fer with the Trustees of the Village, and make arrange- 
ments ibr the Celebration. 

Maj. Gen. Skinnrr, Brig. Gen. Halsey and Col. Moore, 
were appointed said committee. 

The following named gentlemen were duly appointed a 
committee on the part of the citizens to confer with the com- 
mittee of the Military Associatir)n in making the necessary 
arrangements for the proper celebration of the day :■ — 

William F. Haile, Moss K. Piatt, D. B. McNeil, C. S. 
Mooers, R. A. Gilman, G. M. Beckwith, G. W. Palmer, S. 
Couch, Benj. Ketchum, R. A. Weed, J. Bailey, Peter S. Pal- 
mer, T. DeForris, Wiiham H. Morgan, J. W. Tutile. 

At a meeting of the Joint Committee of Arrangements, 

Col. D. B. McNeil, (who was Acting Assistant Adjutant 

General of the Militia forces at Plattsburgh, in Sept., 1814) 

28 



210 

was designated to act as President of the day, and the fol- 
lowing resohjtions werfr^ adopted : 

'Resolved, That the citizens of Plattsburgh, in connection 
with such other persons as may unite with them, will on the 
11th of kSeptember, instant, proceed to the erection of plain 
marble monuments to mark the several spots where rest the 
mortal remains of the American and British officers who 
tell at the memorable " Battle of Plattsburgh." 

Resolved, That R. A. Oilman, George Moore, and Roby 
G. Stone be a committee to procure the monuments and make 
the necessary arrangements to carry out the foregoing reso- 
lution. 

Resolved, That Brig. Gen. Wool, and Lt. Col.B. Riley, of 
the U. S. Army, be requested to unite with the citizens and 
military of this place in the proposed celebration, and the 
erection of the monuments above mentioned. 

Resolved, That Gen. Skinner, Gen. Halsey, and Col. R. G. 
Stone be the committee of invitat.on. 

Resolutions were also passed inviting the U. S. Officers 
and troops stationed at this post, the surviving officers and 
soldiers of the regular army, the Clinton and Essex Militia, 
and the Vermont volunteers who participated in the events 
of that time, to unite with us in the proposed celebration. 

In accordance M'ith the above arrangements, the Anniver- 
sary of the Battle of Plattsburgh was celebrated in an ap- 
propriate manner by the Chnton County Military Associa- 
tion and the citizens of Plattsburgh and its vicinity general- 
ly, on Monday last. General Wool and suite, and several 
other gentlemen who were in the battle of the 11th, were 
present by special invitation. 

The procession was formed at Fouquet's Hotel at 10 o'- 
clock, under the direction of Gen. C. Halsey, Chief Mar- 
shal, assisted by Messrs. C. S. Mooers, G. W. Palmer, and 
R. G. Stone, escorted by the U. S. Troops at this post, under 
the command of Capt. C. A. Waite, and moved to the Park 
in front of the Court House, where an able and patriotic ad- 
dress was delivered by Col. A. C. Moore, to a large and at- 
tentive audience of ladies and gentlemen. 



211 

After the address, the procession was again formed and 
moved to the burying ground, where a square was formed by 
the U. S. Troops and tlie Military Association, around the un- 
marked graves of those who fell in the battle of Plattsburgh. 

After a pra3^er by the Rev. Mr. Witherspoon, and an ad- 
dress by Gen. Skinner, the President of the da}^ (Col. McNeil) 
said : 

" Fellow Citizens : — The President of the day has de- 
signated our distinguished guest, Brigadier General Wool, of 
the United States Arm}', who commanded the detachment 
of American regular tfoops opposed to that division of the 
British Army which advanced upon Plattsburgh by the 
Beekmantown road, on the 6th of September, 1814, to erect 
a monument at the head of the grave of Col. WillJngton of 
the 3d Regiment ot British Buffs, who gallantly fell at the 
head of his Regiment at Culver's Hill, on the Beekman- 
town road, in the memorable battle of the 6th of September, 
1S14. 

" The division of the British Army in which the brave 
and lamented Willington fell, was not less than 4000 strong ; 
and when we take into view the fact that General Wool, 
(then a Major,) with a light corps of but 250 regular troops, 
all told, contested every inch of ground with this formidable 
force in their descent upon Plattsburgh, the selection of Gen- 
eral Wool to perform the melancholy duty assigned to him, 
cannot fail to give deep interest to the solemn occasion which 
brought us together upon this hallowed spot. Nothing can 
be more appropriate than that the monument about to be 
erected should be raised by the hand of an officer who bore 
an honorable and conspicuous part in the events of the me- 
morable day on which the gallant Willington fell. It is a 
pleasing spectacle to see the living brave doing honor to the 
memory of the illustrious dead." 

Gen. Wool proceeded to discharge the duty assigned him, 
and said : 

" Fellow-Citizens and Soldieks : — "■ The duty assign-^ 



21^ 

ed me bv the President of the day, in behalf of the citizens 
of Platlsbnrgh and the Military Association of the County of 
Clinton, is no less gratifying to me thcin it is honor;ible and 
magnanimous to its authors, and will furnish an example 
worthy of imitation for all time to come. It is not less a ho- 
ly and pious offering to the illustrious dead, than the off- 
spring of noble and generous hearts to a lallen foe, and will 
furnish themes of praise to the end of time. It will be a lieal- 
'm<x balm to the wounded hearts of relatives and friends — 
whilst it will not fail to call forth from every Briton who 
passes this consecrated spot, tears ©f gratitude as well as 
tears of sympathy. 

"With these brief remarks, 1 now erect, in behalf of the 
citizens of Plattsburgh and the Military Association of Clin- 
ton County, this monument to the memory of Colonel Wil- 
lington, who fell the 6th of September, 1814, at Culver's 
Hill, leading to the charge the advance of the British army 
marching on Plattsburgh." 

The President of the day said : 

"Fellow-Citizens : Our e^^teemed fellow-citizen, Judge 
tHaile, late a Captain in the United States Army, will now 
proceed to place monuments at the respective graves of 
Captain Purchase, late of the British Army, Lieut Runk, 
late of the Gth Regiment, United States Infantry, and En- 
sign John Chapman, late of the 3d Buffs." 

The President of the day, in designating Judge Haile to 
perform the duty assigned lo him, did so liom a full knowl- 
edge of the fact, that no officer of his rank ever left the ar- 
my of the Ui.ited States wuha higher and more enviable rep- 
utation as a tearless and fighting officer, than did Captam 
Haile. 

Judge Haile proceeded to the duty assigned him, with 
suitable remarks. 

The President of the day then said: 

"Fellow-Citizens: To Colonels Miller and Manly, and 

Maj. Gen. Skinnrr, all of whom bore a distinguished part in 

i the battles of Beekmantown and Plattsburgh', is assigned the 



21:i 

honor of erecting monmrtents to the memory of Lieutenant 
Peter Gamble, United States Navy, John Stansbury, U. S. 
Navy, and Midshipman James M. Baldwin, U. S. Navy." 

The gentlemen above mentioned proceeded to discharge 
the duty assigned them, accompanied by appropriate re- 
marks. 

The President said — - 

" To our esteemed fellow-citizen, Platt R. Halsted, Esq., 
late a Lieutenant in the United States Army, I assign the 
honor of placing monuments at the graves of Captain Al- 
exander Anderson of the British marines ; Lieutenant Wil- 
liam Paul, midshipman ; William Gunn and boatswain 
Charles Jackson of the British Navy, and Joseph Barron, 
Pilot on board Commodore Macdonough's ship — all of whom 
fell in the naval engagement in Cumberland Bay, ofFPlattS' 
burgh, on the 11th of September, 1814. 

"Joseph Barron, Pilot, was personally known to Lieut. 
Halsted and myself, and was a man held in high estimation 
for his intelligence and patriotism by all who had the pleas- 
ure of his acquaintance." 

Lieut. Halsted, in the discharge of the duty assigned him, 
erected the monuments at the head of the graves ot the three 
Lieutenants of the British Navy, and proceeded to the grave 
of Joseph Barron, and, as near as we could catch his remarks, 
spoke as follows : 

"I take a melancholy pleasure in erecting this monument 
at the head of the grave of Joseph Barron, Commodore 
Macdonough's confidential Pilot. I knew him well — he was 
about my own age — we were school boys together — a warm- 
er hearted or a braver man never trod the deck of a ship." 

Lieut Springer, late of the U. S. Army, was designated 
by the President of the day, to erect the monument at the 
head of the grave of Sailing Master Rogers Carter, U. S. 
Navy, and proceeded to discharge that duty. 

A benediction was then pronounced by Rev. Mr. Wither- 
spoon, and the procession returned to Fouquet's Hotel, where 
the committee of arrangements, the invited guests and the 
Military Association partook of an excellent dinner, got up in 
Fouquet's best style. 



214 

Amono- the sentiments offered on this occasion was the 
following, by Genercil Skinner : 

Brig. Generiil Wool, U. S. Army — The Hero of Beekman- 
lown as well as Queeostown — 

" His laurels are green, though his locks are gray." 

General Wool, wilh much feeling, responded to this sen- 
timent as foUow^s : 

Mr. President — 1 rise wilh a heart overflowing with 
qratitude to respond to the sentiment just given hy my friend 
at the other end of the table. I find it impossible, howev- 
er, filled as I am with emotion, tf) make a speech, or give 
utterance to my feehngs in a manner worthy of the occa- 
sion. Were it otherwise, I could say but little that has not 
already been said. 1 might speak of the campaigns of 1812 
and '13, which closed w'iih the most gloomy f()rebodings. I 
might also speak of the campaigns of 1814, when the mantle 
of (hirkness w^as cast offj and a Dlaze of light shone forth 
along the frontier from Fort Erie to Plattsburgh, and finally 
closed, with a brilliancy seldom equalled, on the plains of 
New Orleans. But these periods have already been noticed 
and described in the most eloquent and stirring language. 
Therefore, little remains for me to add, could I give utter- 
ance to my feelings, but to express my w^^rmest thanks for 
the kind partiality with which 3^ou liave been pleased to 
allude to my services. I would, however, remark that al- 
though at one period of the war darkness and despondency 
appeared to pervade our beloved country, there was one 
bright spot exempt from the general gloom. It was here in 
this place, Plattsburgh,' that the patriotic inhabitants never 
w^avered nor quailed before the legions of Great Britain. — 
They stood by their countr}^ in the darkest hour, and never 
failed to cheer and comfort the war-worn soldier, and to re- 
ceive him with open arms whether he returned victorious, or 
W' as driven back by the force of circumstances. Who that 
w^as at Plattsburgh in 1812, ']3 and 'J 4, does not remember 
with delight Mooers, Smith, SaiUy, Delord, Bailey, Palmer 
and Ransom, all patriotic citizens and devot^'d friends of 
their country in war as well as in peace, but who now rest 
in the mansions of eternal bliss. Wilh these few remarks, 
Mr. President, I would offer this sentiment. — 

The Citizens of Plattsburgh and the Military Association 
of Clinton County — This day attests their magnanimity and 
greatness of soul, by the homage paid to the illustrious dead 
who fell fighting the battles of their country. 



POSITION OF THE GRAVES. 
Wit/i the ]iis(.rip/ioi/s on the Mojiumaits erected Sept. 11, 1843.- 



I Lieut. I jl 



Colonel 



WEST 



Ensien 



I I Lieut. i 



io. W.RUNK,i ^WILLINGTOnI ij.CHAPMAN,i ia. KINGSBURY j 

p 3(1 BuUd, % 
M B. Army. <^ 



m 



l^ 



^6th Regt. U. S.>? -^ 3d Regt. Buffs,|| f^ 3d Bufis, 
""" !^ 13 A^„ M M B. Army. 



^Army,8thSept.^ ^ B. Army, 

m 1814. i icthSent. 1814.|l ^^'Gth Sept. 1814.t^ «J<i6th Sept. 1814. ^^ 

°M^Sf^.^&PJ^M %±±±:ri.-^'M^iMi fe^;^??:^-^>':*^3k>!; H^^.:^-.'^M:'d'^^Mk 

w^i^w^^msm^ mmm^m^m °^m^m^^i^^^ wm^^^^^m 

^ Lieut. M ?f Lieut. ^ if'Sailing Master ^ ^ Midshipman |? 

°M Peter Gamble,^ ^John Stansburyp p Rogers Cartor,;^^ M J. M. Baldwin/^ 

w- u. s. N. m M u. s. N. ^ -ik u. s. N. m -m u. s. n. m 

P ¥ ^^ H S ¥ i i 

illthSept.1814.^; '|llth Sept.1814.^ pltli Sept. 1814.^1 jfllth Sept.1814.'^: 



.85 



M it 



ii^.is^^?e^i ^^^i^ii^ii liiii^iii.«c«^?s^^ U'^^^^^mmt 



WSi^S^^^&S^^^^^^^^^'M^i^ 



m 

^Joseph Barron,^ ^ ^^v 



I^Ship Saratoga. ^- p^ •<f^ 



Pilot 



^lltliSept.l814.,ti 



•li; Sacred 

'^ to tiie memory of 

sj GEORGE DOWNIE, Esq. 
^ A Post Captain in the Koyal Brit. 
j^ ^nvy, who gloriously fell on 
% board His B. M. S. the Con- 
fiance, while leading the 
vessels under hiscom- 
mnnd t) the 
i^- L_| .42 attack of the American Flotilla, 
at anch''r in Cumberland Bay, 

off Plattsburgh, 
on the 11th September, 1814. 



i^ I 



r-;,^ Boatswain 
S^Chas. Jackson, 
^.^ B. Navy. 



p -^To mark the spot where the remains M |4i 



gl P^ filth Sept.1814, 



m 



of a gallant officer and sincere 

friend were honorably interred, 

this stime has been erected by his 

affectionate Si.-tsr-iu-Law, 

Mary Downie. 



^,^;^£^^^^^% -^^^.ii.°^^if:^^-^ :^u^;^^^i^^f^-^ w^^^m^im^^^^ 

^Capt. Purchase,*: ^^Alx. Anderson,:^^ f Acting Lieut, ^l g§ Midshipman |: 
M 76th Regt. ^ i^Capt. Marines, p ^^Willium Paul, y ^William Gunn,^ 



B. Army. M 



B. Navy. 



P B. Navy. 



B. Navy. 



«lllthSept.l814l filth Sept.l814.p :|llthSept.l814.^ ^llth Sept.1814.^ 

^w^^mm^MM W^m^^^^^M mmm^mM^^m ^m^i^^^^^^ 

EAST. 



J^16 
REMOVAL OF TROOPS, IN AUGUST 1814. 

It has been asserted, in certain quarters, that the 
authorities at Washington never intended a real inva- 
sion of Canada, for fear that the reduction of Montreal 
and the other important points upon the St. Lawrence 
might ultimately lead to annexation, and to a conse- 
quent increase of puliticcil power, north of Mason's and Dix- 
on's line. While old and superannuated Generals command- 
ed on this liontier, they were allowed, ad libitum, to lead their 
armies to and fro along the outskirts of Canada, but the mo- 
ment a lighting man, with the regular snap of war in him, 
was found to be in command, the army was broken up and 
its best fragments sent to aid in some distant operations, 
where the most triumphant s-uccess could not endanger the 
cities of Montreal and Quebec, which were justly considered 
as the keys of the British Provinces. 

The correspondence between the Secretary of War and 
General Izard shows that the critical situation of this fron- 
tier was well known at Washington, and that the govern- 
ment were anxious to direct operations towards some point, 
where success would be the least likely to result in the con- 
quest of Canada. On the 27th of July, the Secretary of War 
writes to General Izard, as follows ; " If General Brown's 
movements have produced large detachments from Montre- 
al (as is stated) some enterprise on your part, menacing that 
place, or to some other higher iq) the St. Lawrence, would be pro- 
per. Of these points Frescott would be the best.^^ This letter 
having miscarried, the Secretary, on the Snd of August, for- 
warded General Izard a copy of his letter of the 27th of Ju- 
ly, and says '• the movement indicated in my letter of the 
27th ought to be made without delay." 

When these letters were written, the Secretary well 
knew that Izard could make no movement against Mon- 
treal, which was defended by a large army occupying 
strong positions on the route leading to that city.* General 

*Niles' Weekly Register, of July 30, 1814, published at Baltimore, says, " Gen- 
eral Izard. — We have nothing important from this quarter. Tlio army, as 
well as the fleet on Champlain, is inactive. A grnt Battle ia still ejipectcd everyday - 

AJJD ITS EFFECrrS WILL BE VERY IMPOBTAST " 



217 

I^ard understood these letters as directing a movement to- 
wards Prescott, for in his reply, under date of 11th August, 
he says; "I will make the movement you direct, if possi- 
ble, but I shall do it with the apprehension of risking the 
force under my command, and with the certainty that every 
thing in this vicinity, but the lately erected works at Platts- 
burgh and Cumberland Head, will in less than three days after 
my departure he in the possession of the enemy. He is in force 
superior to mine hi my front ; he daily threatens an attack on 
my position at Champlain ; we are in hourly expectation of 
a serious conflict." * * * " I believe this to be the strong 
point of our frontier for either attack or defence ; and I know 
that a British force has been kept in check in Lower Can- 
ada for many weeks past greatly superior to that which I 
could oppose to it." If the Secretary really contemplated 
an attack on Montreal here was enough to satisfy him, 
if he did not know it before, that such a movement was im- 
practicable and that, if Izard stirred from his position, it 
must be in the direction of Upper Canada. 



ANECDOTES OF THE BATTLE OF PLATTSBURaH. 

The following anecdotes are copied from Niles' Weekly 
Register, Vol. S : — 

" The wounded of both fleets and our army, the same 
evening, were landed at our cantonment on the island. 

" The enemy was not neglected ; prompt assistance was 
indiscriminately rendered. Those who had but one hour 
previous been deadly foes, now lodged by each other's side, 
like brothers and friends, giving and receiving the tenderest 
words of consolation. 

" It is as true that Macdonough is religious, as that he is 
a brave man. He made a most appropriate prayer over the 
dead, previous to their interment. The following anecdote 
will interest you. At the moment the British were bearing 
down, an officer asked permission of the commodore to issue 

29 



218 

an extra ration of grog to the men. " No," was the reply 
— " My men shall go cool into action, excited by no stimu- 
lus, except their native valor." 

"On the 11th September, alter the British column, which 
crossed the Saranac, had broken, and the men were making 
the best of their way back — Hazen Mooers and Mr. Brooks 
and SLaff()rd, pursued a party af the enemy's light troops, 
double their number, for nearly two miles, keeping up a 
constant fire upon them, which they returned occasionally. 
At length the British party hesitated about the course they 
were pursuing, and our men told them ihey were lost and 
called upon them to surrender, which they consented to, after 
obtaining a pledge from the mihtiamen that they should be 
well treated. Scarcely had the captors made iheir disposition 
for bringing in their prize, when two other British soldiers 
came back and commenced a fire on them, reproaching their 
comrades for having, five of them completely e-^uiped, sur- 
rendered to three militia riflemen. With five prisoners in 
custody, who might attempt to retake themselves, encum- 
bered with the equipment of their captives, and no aid with- 
in reach, our riflemen were eager only to get off with the 
prisoners ; but the soldiers were so obstinate in the pursuit, 
finding no resistance, that Mr. Stafford concealed himself 
and waited their neai" approach, when he gave one of the 
soldiers a deadly shot, and the other relinquished the pursuit. 

The prisoners, a corporal and four men, were brought in 
to General Mooers." 

" On the same day, a few of our militia, conducted by 
Captain Aiken, of Essex county, overtook a party who had 
Major Skinner, whom they had made prisoner — the party at- 
tempted to ford the river. When about half way across, the 
men who held the major were shot down by his side — one 
of them held so fast to his sleeve as to tear off the cuff' of 
bfe co>at, ajid the current toak them down the stream. Maj. 



219 

Skinner, however, extricated himself and swam ashore. 
The residue of the party threw d(nvn their arms, and cried 
out " for God's sjike spiire our lives." The firing censed : 
Captain Aiken brought in several prisoners ; and major Skin- 
ner, whom he rescued from their hands. 

Mnjor S. was previously robbed of his equipage, and 
about one hundred dollars in money, which he did not re- 
cover." 



"During the siege, Abel Chamberlin and Eh Lewis crossed 
the Saranac, and made an officer prisoner. He was in a 
house about twenty rods from a British picket — they took 
him out of the back door, put one of their coats upon him, 
and piloted him through the woods to the upper bri(]ge, and 
from thence to Salmon river a distance of about twelve or 
fourteen miles." 



"On the morning of the 9ih September, two citizens of 
the town found a soldier of the British army asleep in his 
tent, and made him prisoner. In coming into town they 
were joined by another citizen — none of them had arms : 
About a quarter of a mile west of the village they met three 
British sokliers, armed, going on to join the army. When 
within a few paces of each other, the citizens sprang upon 
the soldiers, disarmed and brought them in prisoners. 

In the affray, Mr. Samuel Norcross, a respec'able, indus- 
trious citizen, was shot through the thigh, and expired in 
about two hours. Shelden Durkee and Ephraim Rand were 
the two other citizens." 

The following narrative of the death of Norcross is copied 
from an address delivered at Plattsburgh, September 11th 
1843, by A. C. Moore Esq. 

" It was on the morning of the ]2ih, that Shelden Durkee 
Ephraim Rand, and Samuel Norcross, entirely unarmed, 
met three British Soldiers on the retreat, and simultaneously 
sprang upon them ai;d seized their gijns. A meeiSt desper- 



200 

ate personal recountre ensued — a struggle for life. Rand 
and his antagonist equally matched in point of strength, 
strained every sinew for the mastery, which neither could 
obtain ; Norcross sunk before the superior power of his ad- 
versary, who threw him on the ground and poured the blazing 
contents of his musket into his body, then turned from the 
dying Norcross and rushed upon the struggling Rand. At 
this critical moment Durkee, who with a convulsive effort 
had wrenched his gun from the third soldier and stretched 
him upon the ground, prostrated the antagonist ol Rand with 
its butt, and pointing its loaded muzzle at the other soldier 
compelled him to surrender. Then leaving Rand to bind up 
the wounds of poor, expiring Norcross, the victorious Durkee 
marched his three prisoners into camp." 



LOSS OF THE AMERICAN FLEET ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN, OCTOBER, 1776, 

The following is General Arnold's official account of the 
loss of his fleet on the 13th of October, 1776. In reference 
to the destruction of the Congress galley, it is said, on page 
112, " Arnold kept up a running fight until he arrived with- 
in ten miles of Crown P(jint, when he ran the Congress and 
four Gondolas into a &mall creek in Panton." This statement 
was made on the authority of the following letter. The sun- 
ken wrecks of the vessels are yet lo be seen. They now 
lie in Adam's Bay, in Panton, nearly opposite Barber's 
Point, and not in the mouth of the small creek, 

Ticonderoga, October 15, 1770. 
Dear General : I make no doubt before this you have 
received a copy of my letter to General Gates of the 12th 
instant, dated at Schuyler's Island, advising of an action be- 
tween our fleet and the enemy the preceding day, in which 
we lost a schooner and a gondola. We remained no longer 
at Schuyler's Island than to stop our leaks, and mend the 
sails of the Washington. At two o'clock, P. M., the 12th, 



291 

weighed anchor with a fresh breeze to the southward. The 
enemy's fleet at the same time got under way ; our gondola 
made very little way ahead. In the evening the wind mod- 
erated, and we made such progress that at six o'clock next 
morning we were about off Willsborough, twenty-eight miles 
from Crown-Point. The enemy's fleet were very little way 
above Schuyler's Island ; the wind breezed up to the south- 
ward, so that we gained very little by beating or rowing, at 
the same time the enemy took a fresh breeze from the north- 
east, and by the time we had reached Split-Rock, were 
alongside of us. The Washington and Congress were in 
the rear, the rest of our fleet were ahead except Iwo gondo- 
las sunk at Schuyler's Island. The Washington galley was 
in such a shattered condition, and had so many men killed 
and wounded, slie struck to the enemy after receiving a few 
broadsides. We were then attacked in the Congress galley 
by a ship mounting twelve eighteen-pounders, a schooner of 
fourteen sixes, and one of twelve sixes, two under our stern, 
and one on our broadside, within musket-shot. They kept 
up an incessant fire on us for about five glasses, with round 
and grape-shot, which we returned as briskly. The sails, 
rigging, and hull of the Congress were shattered and torn in 
pieces, the First Lieutenant and three men killed, when, to 
prevent her falling into the enemy's hands, who had seven 
sail around me, I ran her ashore in a small creek ten miles 
from Crown-Point, on the east side, when, after saving our 
small-arms, I set her on fire with ibur gondolas, with whose 
crews, I reached Crown-Point through the woods that eve- 
ning, and very luckily escaped the savages, who waylaid 
the road in two hours after we passed. At four o'clock yes- 
terday morning I reached this place, exceedingly fatigued 
and unwell, having been without sleep or refreshment for 
near three days. 

Of our whole fleet we have saved only two galle\s, two 
small schooners, one gondola, and one sloop. General Wa- 
terbury, with one hundred and ten prisoners, were returned 



22$ 

by Carleton last night. On board of the Congress we had 
t\vent3-)dd men killed and wounded. Our whole loss amount* 
to eighly odd. 

The enemy's fleet were last night three miles below 
Crown-Point; their army is doubtless at tlieir heels. We are 
busily employed in completing our lines and redoubts, which 
I am sorry to say are not so forward as I could wish. We 
have very few heavy cannon, but are mounting every piece 
we have. It is the opinion of General Gates and St. Clair 
that eight or ten ihousajd Militia should be immediately 
sent to our assistance, if they can be spared from below. I 
am of o|;)inion the enemy will attack us with their fleet and 
army at the same time. The former is very formidable, a 
list of which I am favored with by General Waterbury, and 
have enclosed. The season is so far advanced, our people 
are daily growing more healthy. 

We have about nine thousand effectives, and If properly 
supported, make no doubt of stopping the career of the en- 
emy. All J'our letters to me of late have miscarried. I am 
extremely sorry to hear by General Gales you are unwell. 
I have sent you by General Waterbury a small box con- 
taining all my publick and private papers, and accounts, 
with a considerable sum of hard and paper money, which 
beg the favour of your taking care of. 

I am, dear General, your most affectionate, humble ser- 
vant, B. Arnold. 

To Hon. Major General Schuyler. 

N. B. Two of the enemj^'s gondolas sunk by our fleet the 
first day, and one blown up with sixty men. 

CAPTAIN THOMAS PRINGLE TO Ml?. STEPHENS, SECRETARY OF THE 

ADMIRALTY. 

On board the Maria, offCrowii-Point, October 15, 1776. 
It is with the greatest j)leasure that I embrace this oppor- 
tunity of congi'atulating their Lordships upon the victory 
completed the 13th of this month, by his Majesty's fleet Wflr- 
der ray command, upon Lake Champlain. 



223 

Upon the 11th I came up with the Rebel fleet, command- 
ed by Benedict Arnold ; they were at anchor under the Is- 
Irind Vidcour, and f()rmed a strong line, extending from the 
island to the west side of the continent. Tlie wind was so 
unfavorable, that, for a considerable time, nothing could be 
brought into action with them but the gun-boats. The 
Carleton schooner, commanded by Mr. Dacres, who brings 
their Lordships this, by much perseverance, at last got to 
their assistance ; but as none of the other vessels of the fleet 
could then get up, I did not think it by any means advisable 
to continue so partial and unequal a combat ; consequently, 
with the approbation of his Excellency General Carleton, 
who did me the honour of being on board the Maria, 1 call- 
ed off' the Carleton and gun-boats, and brought the whole 
fleet to anchor in a line as near as possible to the Rebels, 
that their retreat might be cutoff"; which purpose was how- 
ever frustrated by the extreme obscurity of the night ; and 
in the morning the Rebels had got a considerable distance 
from us up the lake. 

Upon the 13th, I again saw eleven sail of their fleet ma- 
king off to Crown-Point, who, after a chase of seven hours, 
I came up with in the Maria, having the Carleton and Inflex- 
ible a small distance astern ; the rest of the fleet almost out 
of sight. The action began at twelve o'clock, and lasted 
two hours, at which time Arnold, in the Congress galley, and 
five gondolas ran on shore, and were directly abandoned 
and blown up by the enemy, a circumstance they were 
greatly favoured in by the wind being off" shore, and the 
narrowness of the lake. The Washington galley struck du- 
ring the action, and the rest made their escape to Ticon- 
deroga. 

The killed and wounded in his Majesty's fleet, including 
the artillery in the gun-boats, do not amount to forty ; but 
from every information I have yet got, the loss of the ene- 
my must indeed be very considerable. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

Nil 



014 108 030 1 



